Women begin voluntary military service in Ivalo for the first time

Women have begun voluntary military service at the Ivalo Border Jaeger Company in Lapland for the first time, Yle reports. Previously, inadequate shower facilities had prevented their participation.

A new barracks building completed in January, featuring improved shower facilities with greater privacy, has now made it possible. Around 130 conscripts started their service in Ivalo on Monday, including nearly ten women.

Among them is Sonja Kumpumäki, 21, from Ylivieska, who chose Ivalo to be among the first women there. “I want to set a direction and open doors for other women,” she said. She is also drawn to the wilderness and reindeer of Lapland, as well as the opportunity to learn orienteering and survival skills. The Ivalo unit trains conscripts for demanding reconnaissance missions.

Kumpumäki described her first day as tough, comparing carrying a bedroll to “a wet rag across the face.” Still, she is determined to push through. “By biting down and digging in. We’ll go all the way, even on half a leg.”

Onni Hänninen, 19, from Rovaniemi, also started his service in Ivalo on Monday. He believes gender makes no difference in military service. “Women and men are equally capable of completing military service, including the physical aspects,” he said.

Mervi Urpilainen, commander of the Ivalo Border Jaeger Company, called the day a milestone. “This is one milestone for the Lapland Border Guard and for us at the Ivalo Border Jaeger Company,” she said. Women have been able to serve in other Finnish garrisons since 1995, but Ivalo is the last to open its doors to female conscripts.

Urpilainen emphasized the importance of the new barracks, especially for conscripts who spend about 35% of their time in the field. “It’s important that we have good, functional facilities for rest, maintenance, and recovery. So we can dry our gear.”

Nationwide, about 12,500 conscripts began their service on Monday. Annually, around 20,000 people complete military service in Finland, including about 1,000 women who volunteer each year.