Thousands of Greenlandic women and girls forcibly fitted with contraceptive coils without their knowledge or consent are set to receive compensation, after the Danish government reached an agreement with parliament on Wednesday. The deal establishes a reconciliation fund entitling approximately 4,500 women to claim 300,000 DKK (£35,000) each.
The announcement follows a three-year legal battle by 143 women who sued for the same amount, citing pain, suffering, and human rights violations. Denmark ruled Greenland as a colony until 1953 and controlled its healthcare system until 1992. In September, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen apologised for the “systemic discrimination” that caused “both physical and psychological harm”. Greenland's former premier, Múte B Egede, described the scandal as “genocide”.
Women who received contraception without consent between 1960 and 1991 can apply from April 2026, with the law taking effect in June. To qualify, they must provide a “credible report”, have lived in Greenland during the period, and declare on oath they had no knowledge or consent. The health ministry called it a “dark chapter” in shared history.
Bula Larsen, forced to have an IUD fitted at 14 without explanation, said the experience felt like an assault and left her sterile. She stated: “Denmark is busy trying to save its reputation as a democratic country… Our activism has been effective.” Aviaja Fontain, whose mother was also fitted at 14, said: “We won.” Greenland's justice minister, Naaja H Nathanielsen, called the compensation “long overdue”.
