The Choice of "Mandatory for Both Genders" ─ The Federal Army "Needs Women": Can Equality Be Proven Through "Sharing the Burden"?

Henning Otte, the military commissioner of the German Bundestag, has proposed a "one-year mandatory service (Pflichtdienst)" applicable not only to men but also to women. The service would include not only the military but also emergency services, firefighting, culture, sports, and volunteering. This proposal addresses issues such as the shortage of personnel in the Bundeswehr, increasing the proportion of women, and fostering social cohesion. However, Article 12a of the Basic Law stipulates that "women cannot be obliged to perform military service involving the use of arms," presenting a significant legal hurdle for a gender-neutral mandatory service system. Public opinion is divided, with support growing among right-wing groups, while left-wing factions oppose it as an infringement on freedom. On social media, debates center around points like "equality demands it," "compulsion is unjust," and "focus on equipment and environmental improvements first." Implementing such a system would require meticulous planning, including constitutional amendments, fair selection and exemption processes, incentive structures, and gender-sensitive workplace arrangements.