🔗 Share this article Inuit Women Secure Judicial Triumph over Fight against the Danish State regarding Coerced IUD Affair. Victims of a historical campaign in which numerous of Greenlandic women and girls reportedly were forcibly fitted with intrauterine devices (IUDs) without their knowledge or consent are declaring victory in their court battle against Copenhagen. Officials have confirmed the women will be entitled to financial redress via a reconciliation package. Parliamentary Agreement Reached The Danish parliament, along with the government, finalized a deal that entitles approximately four thousand five hundred Greenlandic women the right to seek kr. 300,000 (£35,000) per person. This announcement comes after a three-year campaign by a group of women that filed a lawsuit seeking compensation over the trauma and distress they had endured, arguing it was a violation of their human rights. Historical Context The Danish state ruled Greenland under colonial rule until 1953 and retained control of the island's medical services until 1992. In September, following a long period of failing to address the violations, the government made an official apology. The country's leader expressed sorrow for the “institutional prejudice” against women and girls by the state medical apparatus. “It has had major impacts on the Greenlandic women who have experienced both physical but also psychological harm,” stated the government minister. Compensation Process Outlined The health ministry stated those subjected to the procedure covertly between 1960 and 1991 would be able to seek compensation starting next year. The law will come into force by mid-year. Based on results of an impartial inquiry of contraceptive practices during that time, an estimated 4,500 women are potentially eligible for compensation. For eligibility, applicants must: Provide a “plausible account” of the incident. Demonstrate they resided on the island during the specified timeframe. State on oath that they had no knowledge or consent for it to occur. Voices from the Survivors A women, who was 14 at the time she was instructed to report to the hospital for no clear reason, said the experience like an assault. “Speaking out as speakers and interviewees has been successful,” she said. “We started in 2022 resulting in a relatively short time we got an official apology and financial acknowledgment.” Another voice shared satisfaction, stating, “This is a positive outcome. Like my mother said: it's a victory.” Although some believe the amount should have been greater, there is relief over the acknowledgment of what happened. Official Reactions An Inuit minister described the settlement as “well past due”. Stating clearly, “It is not primarily financial. It is about recognition of the hurt and the profound consequences.” A Danish health minister conceded the scandal represent a “dark chapter within the shared history”, adding while redress “will not erase the suffering from the women” yet it “serves to recognize and express regret over the experiences.”
Victims of a historical campaign in which numerous of Greenlandic women and girls reportedly were forcibly fitted with intrauterine devices (IUDs) without their knowledge or consent are declaring victory in their court battle against Copenhagen. Officials have confirmed the women will be entitled to financial redress via a reconciliation package. Parliamentary Agreement Reached The Danish parliament, along with the government, finalized a deal that entitles approximately four thousand five hundred Greenlandic women the right to seek kr. 300,000 (£35,000) per person. This announcement comes after a three-year campaign by a group of women that filed a lawsuit seeking compensation over the trauma and distress they had endured, arguing it was a violation of their human rights. Historical Context The Danish state ruled Greenland under colonial rule until 1953 and retained control of the island's medical services until 1992. In September, following a long period of failing to address the violations, the government made an official apology. The country's leader expressed sorrow for the “institutional prejudice” against women and girls by the state medical apparatus. “It has had major impacts on the Greenlandic women who have experienced both physical but also psychological harm,” stated the government minister. Compensation Process Outlined The health ministry stated those subjected to the procedure covertly between 1960 and 1991 would be able to seek compensation starting next year. The law will come into force by mid-year. Based on results of an impartial inquiry of contraceptive practices during that time, an estimated 4,500 women are potentially eligible for compensation. For eligibility, applicants must: Provide a “plausible account” of the incident. Demonstrate they resided on the island during the specified timeframe. State on oath that they had no knowledge or consent for it to occur. Voices from the Survivors A women, who was 14 at the time she was instructed to report to the hospital for no clear reason, said the experience like an assault. “Speaking out as speakers and interviewees has been successful,” she said. “We started in 2022 resulting in a relatively short time we got an official apology and financial acknowledgment.” Another voice shared satisfaction, stating, “This is a positive outcome. Like my mother said: it's a victory.” Although some believe the amount should have been greater, there is relief over the acknowledgment of what happened. Official Reactions An Inuit minister described the settlement as “well past due”. Stating clearly, “It is not primarily financial. It is about recognition of the hurt and the profound consequences.” A Danish health minister conceded the scandal represent a “dark chapter within the shared history”, adding while redress “will not erase the suffering from the women” yet it “serves to recognize and express regret over the experiences.”