Greenlandic Women Achieve Legal Victory over Struggle with Denmark regarding Forced Contraceptive Coil Affair.

Survivors of a historical program where thousands comprising Inuit women and girls were covertly implanted with intrauterine devices (IUDs) without their knowledge or consent are declaring a win in their court battle against Copenhagen.

Officials have confirmed that they are now eligible for compensation via a reconciliation fund.

Government Settlement Reached

Folketinget, and the government, finalized a deal that entitles approximately 4,500 Greenlandic women the right to seek kr. 300,000 (£35,000) per person.

This decision follows a three-year battle led by a group of women that filed a lawsuit seeking compensation over the pain and suffering they had endured, arguing it was a breach of their personal rights.

Colonial Context

The Danish state administered the territory under colonial rule for decades maintaining control of its healthcare system until 1992.

In September, following a long period where it did not acknowledge the violations, Denmark made an official apology. The prime minister expressed sorrow for the “systemic discrimination” against women and girls by the Danish healthcare system.

“It has had significant consequences for the Greenlandic women who have experienced both physical but also mental trauma,” stated the senior official.

Compensation Procedure Outlined

Authorities clarified that women who were given contraception covertly during a thirty-one year period would be able to apply for payment starting next year. Relevant legislation will come into force in June.

According to results of an impartial inquiry into medical procedures during that time, roughly 4,500 women may be eligible for compensation.

To qualify, applicants must:

• Provide a “plausible account” detailing what happened.
• Have lived on the island during the specified timeframe.
• State on oath that they possessed no awareness or consent for it to occur.

Perspectives of Survivors

One of the women, recalling being fourteen at the time she was told to report for medical attention for no clear reason, said the experience as feeling a violation.

“Our activism publicly and interviewees proved successful,” she said. “It began in 2022 and now a relatively short time we have secured an official apology and financial acknowledgment.”

Another perspective shared happiness, saying, “We are happy. Like my mother said: we won.” Although there is a view the amount could have been higher, there is contentment over the recognition of what happened.

Official Reactions

A Greenlandic minister called the compensation as “long overdue”. She emphasized, “It is not about the money. It concerns formal acknowledgment of the injury and the profound implications.”

A Danish health minister acknowledged these events was a “dark chapter within the shared history”, adding while redress “will not erase the pain from the women” yet it “serves to recognize and express regret over the experiences.”