🔗 Share this article Inuit Women Achieve Judicial Triumph over Struggle against the Danish State over Forced Contraceptive Coil Scandal. Survivors of a historical program where numerous of Inuit women and girls were forcibly fitted using intrauterine devices (IUDs) absent informed permission have claimed victory in their court battle with Copenhagen. Officials have confirmed that they are now eligible for compensation from a settlement package. Parliamentary Agreement Reached Folketinget, along with the government, finalized a deal that entitles an estimated 4,500 Greenlandic women the right to seek 300,000 DKK (£35,000) each. This decision comes after a lengthy battle led by a group of women that filed a lawsuit seeking compensation for the pain and suffering they had endured, arguing it constituted a violation of fundamental personal rights. Colonial Background The Danish state administered the territory under colonial rule until 1953 and retained control of the island's healthcare system into the late 20th century. Earlier this year, following a long period where it did not acknowledge these actions, the government issued a formal expression of regret. The country's leader apologized for the “systemic discrimination” against women and girls within the state medical apparatus. “It has had significant consequences for the Greenlandic women who have experienced not only physical and mental trauma,” stated the government minister. Redress Procedure Details The health ministry clarified those subjected to contraception covertly between 1960 and 1991 can apply for payment starting next year. Relevant legislation is set to be enacted by mid-year. According to results of an impartial inquiry into medical procedures from that era, an estimated four and a half thousand women may be entitled to compensation. To qualify, the women must: Provide a “credible report” of the incident. Demonstrate they resided in Greenland throughout the qualifying period. State under oath that they had no awareness or consent for it to occur. Voices from the Victims One of the women, recalling being 14 at the time she was told to report to the hospital for no clear reason, said it as feeling an assault. “Our activism as speakers to the media proved successful,” she stated. “It began two years ago and now within three years we got an official apology and compensation.” Another perspective shared satisfaction, saying, “This is a positive outcome. As my mother put it: we won.” While some believe the amount could have been greater, they expressed contentment over the recognition of past events. Official Reactions A Greenlandic minister described the compensation as “well past due”. Stating clearly, “This isn't primarily financial. It is about formal acknowledgment of the hurt and its profound implications.” A Danish health minister conceded these events represent a “dark chapter in our joint past”, noting that compensation “will not erase the pain from the women” but it “helps to recognize and apologise for what they endured.”
Survivors of a historical program where numerous of Inuit women and girls were forcibly fitted using intrauterine devices (IUDs) absent informed permission have claimed victory in their court battle with Copenhagen. Officials have confirmed that they are now eligible for compensation from a settlement package. Parliamentary Agreement Reached Folketinget, along with the government, finalized a deal that entitles an estimated 4,500 Greenlandic women the right to seek 300,000 DKK (£35,000) each. This decision comes after a lengthy battle led by a group of women that filed a lawsuit seeking compensation for the pain and suffering they had endured, arguing it constituted a violation of fundamental personal rights. Colonial Background The Danish state administered the territory under colonial rule until 1953 and retained control of the island's healthcare system into the late 20th century. Earlier this year, following a long period where it did not acknowledge these actions, the government issued a formal expression of regret. The country's leader apologized for the “systemic discrimination” against women and girls within the state medical apparatus. “It has had significant consequences for the Greenlandic women who have experienced not only physical and mental trauma,” stated the government minister. Redress Procedure Details The health ministry clarified those subjected to contraception covertly between 1960 and 1991 can apply for payment starting next year. Relevant legislation is set to be enacted by mid-year. According to results of an impartial inquiry into medical procedures from that era, an estimated four and a half thousand women may be entitled to compensation. To qualify, the women must: Provide a “credible report” of the incident. Demonstrate they resided in Greenland throughout the qualifying period. State under oath that they had no awareness or consent for it to occur. Voices from the Victims One of the women, recalling being 14 at the time she was told to report to the hospital for no clear reason, said it as feeling an assault. “Our activism as speakers to the media proved successful,” she stated. “It began two years ago and now within three years we got an official apology and compensation.” Another perspective shared satisfaction, saying, “This is a positive outcome. As my mother put it: we won.” While some believe the amount could have been greater, they expressed contentment over the recognition of past events. Official Reactions A Greenlandic minister described the compensation as “well past due”. Stating clearly, “This isn't primarily financial. It is about formal acknowledgment of the hurt and its profound implications.” A Danish health minister conceded these events represent a “dark chapter in our joint past”, noting that compensation “will not erase the pain from the women” but it “helps to recognize and apologise for what they endured.”