The cross-party parliamentary committee has proposed extending the military conscription to women, but not conscription, which is mandatory for Finnish men.
The committee argued that a general vocation could help prevent social exclusion, as officials would reach everyone in a certain age group.
Invitations would also be an opportunity for more women to learn more about volunteering. However, Finland is expanding its network as more and more men leave the military for either personal or health reasons.
"The invitation system would be completely overhauled, giving more time for the whole age group to sign up," Joonas Könttä (Cen), the vice-chairman of the committee said, adding that these meetings would provide 18-year-olds with information on defense and personal health.
Although the committee did not take a position on the sanctions that non-invitation would entail, according to Köntä, the consequences of not appearing should be the same for women as for men.
The government has not yet taken a position on the committee’s work and is expected to present more detailed conclusions later this month. Minister of Defense Antti Kaikkonen (Cen) has said he will comment on the matter as soon as the committee presents its final report.
Defense forces lukewarm
In the meantime, the Defense Forces are not eager to issue general summonses merely to prevent exclusion, but say that such matters do not fall within the remit of the Defense Forces.
The committee has also considered the possible shortening of civil service or the introduction of a new type of civil service as an alternative to civil service.
Kaikkonen has previously said that the civil service should better support the various security needs of society.
The Left Alliance announced its intention to issue a dissenting opinion on the committee’s report because it did not take a position on reducing the length of civilian service, according to the MP. Jari Myllykoski (LA).
The Left Alliance has called for a reduction in the duration of civilian service, which is now 347 days, compared to military service, which can be completed in 255 or 347 days.
Source: The Nordic Page