00:00These two young Norwegians stand at the ready.
00:03Increasingly, it's Norway's women stepping up as the country's first line of defence
00:07because of the increased threat across northern Europe.
00:13This is especially true in the north,
00:16where the country shares a 200-kilometre border with Russia.
00:22Norway's army wants to lead the way in gender equality.
00:25At the same time, nearly every second female enlistee reports sexual harassment in the barracks.
00:32We followed Kaia and Kairin during their first week.
00:40The time has come. The two 19-year-olds are reporting for duty.
00:45Having just finished school, they will spend the next 12 months serving in the Norwegian Armed Forces.
00:54Seeing all the uniforms is cool. I'm looking forward to it.
00:59Until now, this was just in our imagination. The reality is more exciting.
01:05University and vocational training can wait.
01:09As of today, the two young women are part of Norway's 33,000-member strong army.
01:15After registration, it is time to make the beds.
01:18Less thrilling than expected, but they've got good attitudes.
01:24I consider it a privilege to have made it into the army.
01:27And my family has supported me along the way.
01:30My father in particular encouraged my decision.
01:35I made a different choice to most people at my school.
01:39The others would rather go travelling or start university.
01:42The Norwegian government wants to attract more young women to the military.
01:47Since Universal Conscription was introduced in 2015, their numbers have risen steadily.
01:54Soon, they are expected to make up 40% of all enlistees.
02:00The best and fittest are selected each year, and only half of the applicants pass the entrance exam.
02:07Despite the army's progress recruiting women, there's only one woman in their five-member executive leadership team so far.
02:17What's more, a 2025 investigative report states that nearly every second female soldier reported sexual harassment.
02:26Training officers agree, that doesn't paint a good picture.
02:31We have a program called Stronger Together.
02:37Everyone in the barracks sits down together to talk about what can and cannot be tolerated.
02:42Assault and bullying must never be tolerated.
02:45It impacts our effectiveness in combat, too.
02:53The introduction of compulsory service was only the beginning of the equality process.
02:58We are making progress, but there is still a long way to go.
03:04Kaja and Karien have finished their first week in the barracks.
03:08So far, they have not experienced any unpleasant situations.
03:12On the contrary, living with their male comrades is going well.
03:16Even in mixed storms.
03:18We girls took the bottom bunk.
03:20We regret that now.
03:22The boys always run and jump onto theirs.
03:26Everyone is friendly and respectful.
03:28We've all learned how to respect boundaries.
03:33When someone showers, the door stays closed.
03:37No one goes in until the person comes out fully dressed.
03:40Yes.
03:40No one goes out.
03:43Northern Norway on the Russian border.
03:46In a few weeks, Karien and Kaja will be transferred here.
03:50They'll patrol by jeep or snowmobile.
03:53In Norway, guarding the border is not just a job for professional soldiers.
03:59Soldiers like 20-year-old Friede and Johanna patrol this area every day.
04:04Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the only border crossing to Russia has been closed.
04:10These two young women are tasked with preventing provocations at the border.
04:18Up here, you feel like you have an important mission.
04:22You read a lot in the newspapers about what is happening in the world.
04:27Sometimes you think about it before falling asleep and have to take a quiet breath.
04:34The next morning, the two soldiers are back on duty, guarding a section of NATO's exterior border.
04:45Meanwhile, Kaja and Karien are learning how to use their weapons.
04:51It takes some getting used to, thinking that we'd have to use them in an emergency.
04:57Still, they're happy with their first week in uniform.
05:01Coming together with peers they might never have met.
05:04Different social backgrounds, from all across Norway.
05:09They all might have to trust each other with their lives.
05:17The weapons are only a last resort, to defend the country.
05:22But we don't just receive firearms training.
05:25We also have lessons on ethics.
05:27And I think that's very good.
05:31High spirits and firm resolve.
05:34Ready for duty, but hoping for peace.
05:38Oh, I saw it.
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