52 percent of Norwegian women oppose a proposal that military service should be compulsory for females. Men, however, are more positive towards equal military duty for both genders.
According to the Norwegian Defense's Citizen survey from 2012, 52 percent of Norwegian women do not want compulsory military service for females, which is the case today for Norwegian males.
28 percent of the female respondents say that they are in favour of or somewhat in favour of a gender neutral, compulsory military service. 43 percent of men, on the other hand, are for.
The ombudsperson for equal rights, however, has stated that women and men should have the same terms when it comes to military service in Norway. The ombudsperson thinks that today's arrangement is discriminating against men.
The general population does not seem to agree - 44 percent disagree that women should serve compulsory military service, and 36 percent are for. The study also shows that those who are familiar with the Norwegian Defense are more positive towards gender-neutral terms for military service.
Aftenposten reported last week that neither the Program Committee in the Labor Party or the Agrarians is planning to introduce a gender-neutral policy for military service. Meanwhile, the issue has still been a hot political topic - also within the parties.
The government will issue a report to Parliament sometime this spring about skills in the Norwegians Defense. Gender-neutral military service will be on the list of topics.
(Aftenposten)
Julie Ryland
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