The army has teamed up with Kvinfo to combat offensive culture.

From 2026, many more women will be drafted.

Like men, 18-year-old women in the Danish Defense Force will draw a lottery number (http://www.dr.dk/nyheder/politik/kvinder-bliver-indkaldt-til-vaernepligt-fra-1-juli-2025) and could serve their military service if there aren't enough volunteers.

Previous studies have reported discriminatory behavior (http://www.forsvaret.dk/da/nyheder/2023/resultat-fra-ny-undersogelse-af-konskrankende-adfard-2023/) in the military, and the question is whether the military is ready to accept even more female conscripts, for example, on the country's barracks?

The answer is no, according to Kvinfo director, Henriette Laursen.

At least when it comes to the incoming female conscripts in the Army.

- I don't think the problem can come to life before women have to enlist and serve their military service, she says.

Her response comes after a new report (http://www.forsvaret.dk/da/nyheder/2025/ny-rapport-satter-fokus-pa-rekruttering-og-tilknytning-af-underreprasenterede-grupper-i-haren/) with the title "Gender, minorities, and culture", which the Army has asked Kvinfo to prepare.

They asked, among other things, to investigate why the Army has difficulty recruiting and retaining women and Danes with a different ethnic origin.

And the report fits into the stream of other studies.

It concludes, among other things, that there exists a culture where female conscripts experience unwanted sexual attention, harassment, and other forms of discriminatory behavior.

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What is unwanted sexual attention?

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Here are the formulations that Kvinfo leans on in the report:

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Discriminatory behavior – can, for example, mean that one is belittled due to one's gender, or that one is excluded from activities due to one's gender or sexuality.

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Unwanted sexual attention – can be unwanted advances, sexual comments, or touch.

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Sexual coercion and extortion – can be, for example, that one is required to perform sexual acts in exchange for a reward (such as employment, salary increase, or promotion) or that one is subjected to attacks such as rape or rape attempts.

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Director: 'Bold' to invite Kvinfo in

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Compared to other sectors, Kvinfo's analysis shows that women in the Army, both regular personnel and conscripts, are significantly more exposed to unwanted sexual attention.

- For the conscript women, the level is far above all other sectors in Denmark, it says in the analysis.

Other sectors, according to Kvinfo, that are among the hardest hit, are transportation, construction work, and work in restaurants and bars.

Read also: Survey: Half of female conscripts report unwanted sexual attention and harassment (https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/undersoegelse-halvdelen-af-kvindelige-vaernepligtige-fortaeller-om-uoensket-seksuel)

Chief of the Army Command, Peter Boysen, underscores that he takes the conclusions seriously.

- We must work hard, because there must be room for women and other minorities in our army, and it must be safe and pleasant to go to work, he says.

Army Chief Peter Boysen believes that the culture in the Army should be examined in the seams. (Photo: © Mads Nissen/Ritzau Scanpix)

The Army Chief, who took office on May 1, 2024, concludes that neither he nor his predecessors have been good enough to prevent cases of unwanted sexual attention from occurring.

- Therefore, I am so glad that we have had the report commissioned, and we have received an insight into what we can do better to become a more attractive workplace, he says and adds that in work groups and in a steering group will dive into the report and initiate actions.

Director in Kvinfo, Henriette Laursen, calls it "bold", that the Army has dared to invite" the center for gender and equality into.

- It's very important to have a look, which comes from outside on one's culture, to get help to change it, she says.

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'One must look at those who are offending'

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That there is a cultural problem when it comes to unwanted sexual attention and harassment comes as no surprise.

An earlier study from the Defense Ministry's Personnel Department from 2023 (https://www.forpers.dk/globalassets/fps/dokumenter/2024/rapporter/-hrn-varnepligtsundersogelse-2023-.pdf) showed that more than half of the female conscripts in the Danish Army had experienced unwanted sexual attention and harassment during their military service.

The study also involves Kvinfo in its new report.

The Army and other parts of the military have since worked hard to combat sexual harassment and have also initiated several initiatives.

- But what the study shows is perhaps that one has looked a little too much at those who were subjected to sexual harassment and unwanted sexual attention, says Henriette Laursen and adds:

- Instead, one should look at the unwanted behavior.

In this case, women.

One should instead look at those who are offending. Those who have unacceptable behavior. Otherwise, women will become the problem instead of the behavior.

Both Army Chief Peter Boysen and member of the Conscription Council, Emmely Søgaard, report on new initiatives in the Army.

Among other things, all conscripts will receive an introduction to the Army's zero tolerance policy regarding discriminatory behavior, as well as the fact that sanctions have been strengthened.

Here you can hear more about the initiatives that the Army has already implemented:

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Kvinfo recommends an emergency response team

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The government decided last month (https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/politik/kvinder-bliver-indkaldt-til-vaernepligt-fra-1-juli-2025) to advance the female conscription to July 1, 2025.

And if the country's barracks are to be ready for even more new female conscripts, it must go strong, says Henriette Laursen.

- It is a very large task that the Army is facing, and therefore it is important that we introduce an emergency response team.

It should ensure that "the women, who are nevertheless conscripted, do not get off track."

The report also points out that there is a strong sense of camaraderie in the Army. That can, according to Henriette Laursen, also be part of the solution. Hear more in the clip:

When it is said, the Kvinfo-prepared report concludes, that it is a long and victorious march.

For the culture must change.

- One must have all leadership trained in creating a safe work environment, psychological safety on the job site, and handling of sexual harassment, says Henriette Laursen.

- We have also recommended that one stops accepting, that a rough tone, harassing behavior, like is part of the package.

Army Chief Peter Boysen is also inclined to the long, hard march, but he is sure that the Army will improve at least some of the conditions before the conscript women enlist.

- I am not sure that we will reach the goal with everything, and I cannot guarantee that nothing will happen.

- But I can guarantee that we take it seriously, and that we work with it, he says.

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Kvinfo's recommendations

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The overall goal for the Army is to work with norms and values to create a more inclusive culture.

Here is an overview in bullet points of what else Kvinfo recommends.

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Change strategy: In the Army, one can be a soldier in many ways

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Focus on those who cross others' boundaries

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Create a more inclusive humor, social environment, and community

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Train all leaders in handling diversity, maternity leave, and inclusion issues

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Improve the education of conscripts

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Improve the handling of cases with sexual harassment, sexism, and discrimination. Responsibility should be clearly placed with people who have the right competencies to handle it

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Prioritize pay and working conditions

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Make family care easier as an employee in the Army

Source: Kvinfo

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