In a landmark move addressing a dark chapter of its history, the Danish government has formally apologised and established a significant reconciliation fund for hundreds of Greenlandic women who were subjected to involuntary contraception programmes decades ago.
The scandal, which remained largely hidden for years, involved the insertion of intrauterine devices (IUDs) into young Inuit women and girls, some as young as 13, without their full knowledge or consent during the 1960s and 1970s.
A Systemic Campaign of Control
Investigations revealed that the campaign was not a series of isolated incidents but a coordinated effort. Danish health authorities systematically targeted Greenlandic women, often during other medical appointments, with the stated goal of limiting population growth in the vast Arctic territory.
Many of the women have spoken of the profound physical pain and long-term health complications they suffered. The psychological trauma, coupled with a deep-seated loss of agency over their own bodies, has left enduring scars on individuals and the wider community.
The Path to Reconciliation
The new fund, totalling 100 million Danish kroner (£9.4 million), is designed to provide financial compensation to the estimated 67 surviving women who have been identified so far. Each is expected to receive approximately 1.5 million kroner (£140,000).
This initiative follows a major investigation launched after a Danish TV documentary brought the stories of the victims to light, forcing a national reckoning. The apology from the government marks a critical step in acknowledging the state-sanctioned violation of human rights.
A Formal Apology and a Pledge
"We cannot change what happened, but we can take responsibility and apologise to those we should have cared for but failed to do," stated a senior Danish minister. The government has pledged to continue searching for other potential victims and to ensure all affected women are included in the scheme.
This case has sparked broader conversations about the colonial-era relationship between Denmark and Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Danish realm, and the ongoing pursuit of justice for historical wrongs.
