Alice Schwarzer, a prominent women’s rights activist and pacifist, has stated she is not fundamentally opposed to mandatory military service – including for women. In an interview with the weekly magazine “Die Zeit” the 82-year-old acknowledged the reality of the German armed forces. While she has previously voiced opposition to mandatory service for men, Schwarzer emphasized her commitment to gender equality, asserting that “equal rights entail equal duties.
Schwarzer indicated she would personally opt for a social year if such a requirement were implemented, although she admitted to a certain fascination with firearms. She commented on the complexities of human nature, stating, “Man cannot always be peaceful; sometimes one must defend oneself, especially if one is female”. She candidly added, “I will admit, sometimes I would also like to be able to shoot”. Schwarzer expressed a preference for “peace-loving men and resilient women” those capable of defending themselves when necessary.
Having advocated for women’s right to serve in the military since 1979, Schwarzer also expressed concerns regarding the growing “war euphoria” in Germany. She criticized the substantial financial investments in defense, contrasting them with the underfunding of education and healthcare. “We are spending sums with so many zeros that one can no longer even comprehend them” she noted. She questioned the rationale behind extensive military buildup, asking, “What are we planning? Do we want to march towards Russia?” Schwarzer finds this “comprehensive militarization” “ridiculous”.