Henni Palsala begins voluntary military service despite harassment concerns

Henni Palsala has started voluntary military service with the Guard Jaeger Regiment, undeterred by the risk of harassment or her own physical limitations, Yle reports.

Palsala, who has a neurological condition affecting her motor skills, said she was motivated to apply after developing an interest in military life during her final years of lower secondary school. She decided to enroll after seeing a video about service and immediately booked a medical pre-examination.

Nearly 80 of the 800 new conscripts beginning service at Santahamina are women volunteering for military duty. Two in five women report experiencing inappropriate treatment during service, according to end-of-service surveys cited by Yle.

Palsala acknowledged the issue but said she does not understand why motivated volunteers would face negative attitudes. She emphasized that the Finnish Defence Forces maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward harassment.

“If I want to do something, I won’t let others’ negativity influence me too much,” she said.

Assigned to the non-commissioned officer school, Palsala hopes to work as a conscript journalist. She believes the military has a role for every skill set and encourages other women to trust their abilities.

“Even if certain physical limits come up, I have mental strengths,” she said.