An independent investigation released on September 9, 2025, found that more than 350 Greenlandic Indigenous women and girls—some as young as 12—were forcibly given contraception by Danish health authorities between the 1960s and mid-1970s.
The victims, many in their teens at the time, were fitted with intrauterine devices (IUDs) or administered hormonal birth control injections, often with no explanation or consent.
These women described enduring traumatic aftermaths, including pain, bleeding, serious infections, and profound feelings of shame.
Authorities estimate that as many as 4,000 women and girls—approximately half of Greenland’s fertile female population at the time—were subjected to these coercive procedures.
The actions were part of a broader policy aimed at suppressing population growth on the island during a period of improved healthcare and living conditions.
This pattern of forced contraception is one among several
dehumanizing colonial-era policies. Greenlanders were also subjected to forced separations—children removed to Danish foster care and subjected to parental competency tests.
Apologies and Ongoing Legal Actions
On August 27, 2025, both the Danish and Greenland governments issued official apologies for the forced contraception campaign. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen of Denmark acknowledged the acts as systemic discrimination, expressing regret for both the physical and psychological harm inflicted.
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen called this chapter “a dark part of our history,” and confirmed plans for a compensation scheme for victims.
Simultaneously, nearly 150 Inuit women lodged a lawsuit against Denmark, demanding compensation for rights violations—each seeking around 300,000 DKK. The legal proceedings remain active.
Investigation Details
The probe, launched on June 1, 2023 following growing public outrage, collected testimonies from 354 women aged 48 to 89 at the time of reporting.
Most of these women were between 12 and 37 years old when the procedures occurred; one girl was under 12, though her precise age was withheld for privacy reasons.
The investigation, originally slated to conclude in May 2025, was extended to January 31, 2026, to ensure comprehensive documentation of both Danish and Greenlandic governmental roles and legal accountability.
Context and Historical Roots
Locally known as the “spiral case”, the campaign involved involuntary birth control measures imposed on Inuit women and girls, typically without consent, during routine medical exams in schools.
Activist Naja Lyberth, who received an IUD at age 13, was among the first to publicly condemn the practice, describing it as deeply traumatic and asserting her right to bodily autonomy.
Advocates have characterized the campaign as genocidal, citing its intrusive coercion and lasting psychological and physical harms.
What Comes Next
September 24, 2025: A formal public apology event is scheduled in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, to mark this reckoning moment.
Compensation Process: Greenland has announced the development of a system through which victims can apply for redress.
Investigation Continuation: The inquiry remains active, with expanded deadlines and broader scope mandated.
Legal Developments: Ongoing court proceedings could potentially shape future state responsibility and reparations.
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