Greenlandic Females Achieve Legal Triumph in Battle against the Danish State regarding Forced Contraceptive Coil Scandal.
Victims from a historical program in which thousands comprising Inuit women and girls reportedly were forcibly fitted with intrauterine devices (IUDs) without their knowledge or consent have claimed a win following their court battle with the Danish government.
It has been confirmed that they are now eligible for compensation via a settlement package.
Parliamentary Settlement Reached
Folketinget, along with state authorities, finalized a deal granting an estimated 4,500 affected individuals to claim kr. 300,000 (£35,000) each.
This announcement follows a three-year battle led by 143 claimants who filed a lawsuit demanding damages for the trauma and distress they experienced, arguing it constituted a violation of their human rights.
Historical Background
Denmark administered Greenland under colonial rule for decades maintaining authority over the island's medical services into the late 20th century.
Earlier this year, following a long period of failing to address these actions, the government made an official apology. The country's leader apologized for the “systemic discrimination” against Greenlandic females by the Danish healthcare system.
“These actions caused significant consequences on the affected women who have experienced both physical but also psychological harm,” said a government minister.
Compensation Procedure Details
Authorities stated those subjected to the procedure covertly during a thirty-one year period would be able to seek compensation starting next year. The law will come into force by mid-year.
Based on the findings from a impartial inquiry into medical procedures during that time, an estimated four and a half thousand individuals are potentially eligible for compensation.
For eligibility, applicants must:
- Provide a “credible report” detailing what happened.
- Demonstrate they resided on the island during the specified timeframe.
- Declare under oath that they possessed no awareness or consent for the procedure.
Voices from the Survivors
One of the women, recalling being fourteen at the time she was instructed to report for medical attention for no clear reason, said it as feeling an assault.
“Our activism publicly and interviewees has been successful,” she said. “We started in 2022 resulting in a relatively short time we got an apology plus financial acknowledgment.”
Another voice shared happiness, stating, “This is a positive outcome. Like my mother said: it's a victory.” Although there is a view the amount could have been greater, there is contentment regarding the acknowledgment of what happened.
Ministerial Responses
A Greenlandic minister described the settlement being “long overdue”. Stating clearly, “This isn't about the money. It is about recognition of the injury and the very severe consequences.”
A Danish health minister conceded these events was a “troubling period within the shared history”, noting that compensation “cannot remove the suffering from the women” yet it “serves to recognize and apologise for the experiences.”