Women are changing armies around the world
The role of women in armed forces around the world continues to evolve, moving beyond traditional support roles to full combat integration. While the concept of women in uniform is not new—with historical examples of women serving in disguise or in specialized units—recent years have seen a concerted effort by many nations to formally and systematically integrate women into all aspects of military life.
While many nations have voluntary service for women, a growing number of countries now have laws allowing for their conscription. As of 2025, twelve countries conscript women, including China, Denmark, Eritrea, Israel, Libya, Malaysia, the Netherlands, North Korea, Norway, Peru, Sweden, and Taiwan. Of these, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden are the only ones to conscript both men and women on the same formal conditions.
