Denmark to Compensate Thousands of Greenlandic Women for Involuntary "Coil Campaign" Sterilization

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COPENHAGEN — In a landmark decision for reproductive justice and indigenous rights, the Danish government announced on Wednesday that it will provide financial compensation to thousands of Greenlandic women who were subjected to involuntary birth control procedures between the 1960s and 1990s. The agreement marks a significant step in addressing one of the darkest chapters in the history of Danish-Greenlandic relations, known as the “Spiral Campaign” (Spiralkampagnen).

The settlement follows years of legal battles, an independent investigation, and a formal apology issued by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen earlier this year. Under the new compensation scheme, details of which were finalized on December 10, the Danish state acknowledges its responsibility for the systematic violation of the women’s bodily autonomy and human rights.

“This compensation is not just about financial reparation; it is a validation of our truth,” said Naja Lyberth, a psychologist and activist who was one of the first women to publicly speak out about being fitted with an intrauterine device (IUD) without her consent as a teenager. “For decades, we carried the shame and the physical scars of a decision made for us by a colonial power. Today, the state finally admits that our bodies belonged to us, not to them.”

The “Spiral Campaign”: A Legacy of Trauma

The controversy centers on a policy implemented by Danish health authorities beginning in 1966. In an effort to curb population growth and reduce social welfare costs in Greenland, which was a Danish county at the time, doctors fitted approximately 4,500 Greenlandic women and girls with IUDs—often without their informed consent or, in the case of minors, the consent of their parents.

Records revealed by the Danish Broadcasting Corporation (DR) and subsequent investigations showed that the campaign targeted nearly half of the fertile female population in Greenland. Some of the victims were as young as 12 years old.

“The scale of this intervention is staggering from a public health perspective,” explains Dr. Elena Sorensen, a professor of bioethics at the University of Copenhagen who was not involved in the government’s investigation. “We are talking about a state-sponsored medical intervention that effectively sterilized a significant portion of an indigenous population. The medical ethics violations here—failure to obtain consent, performing unnecessary procedures on minors, and prioritizing economic policy over patient welfare—are profound.”

Details of the Compensation

While the Ministry of Health has not publicly disclosed the total cap for the “Reconciliation Fund,” sources close to the negotiations indicate that individual payouts will align with the demands made by the claimants’ legal team, estimated at 300,000 Danish kroner (approximately $43,000 USD) per victim.

The compensation covers women affected during the primary campaign years (1966–1975) as well as those subjected to similar procedures up until 1991, when Greenland assumed full control over its healthcare system.

“We have listened to the women, and we have seen the findings of the impartial investigation,” Prime Minister Frederiksen stated in a press briefing. “We cannot undo the pain caused, but we can take responsibility for the failures of the past. This agreement is a necessary part of our healing process as a Kingdom.”

Long-Term Health Consequences

The health implications for the victims have been severe and lifelong. The IUDs used in the 1960s and 70s were often too large for the uteruses of young girls, leading to chronic pain, severe bleeding, and infections.

“I remember the pain vividly,” recalls Arnaq, a 68-year-old claimant from Nuuk (name changed for privacy). “I was 14. I was told to go to the doctor, and I didn’t know why. It hurt so much I could barely walk home. I didn’t find out until years later that they had put a coil inside me. By then, the damage was done. I never could have children.”

According to the lawsuit filed by the group of 143 women initially spearheading the case, many victims suffered from:

Secondary Infertility: Scar tissue and infections caused by the devices rendered many women unable to conceive later in life.
Uterine Perforation: In some cases, the devices migrated or punctured the uterine wall, requiring surgical removal.
Psychological Trauma: The violation of bodily integrity and the loss of fertility have led to long-term psychological distress, including depression and anxiety.

“From a gynecological standpoint, inserting these adult-sized devices into adolescent bodies was physically dangerous,” says Dr. Lars Jensen, a specialist in reproductive health. “The complications we see in these patients consistent with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) are a direct result of those procedures.”

A Step Toward Reconciliation?

The agreement has been welcomed by human rights organizations and the Greenlandic government (Naalakkersuisut), though some argue it is long overdue.

Mads Pramming, the lawyer representing the women, emphasized that the compensation is a victory for indigenous rights globally. “This case sets a precedent,” Pramming told reporters. “It sends a message that states cannot hide behind the passage of time when it comes to fundamental human rights violations against indigenous peoples.”

However, challenges remain. Because many medical records from that era have been lost or destroyed, proving eligibility for compensation may be difficult for some victims. The government has promised a “low burden of proof” to ensure that as many affected women as possible can access the fund.

As the Arctic nation continues to debate its future relationship with Denmark, this settlement closes a specific legal chapter but leaves open the broader conversation about the lasting impacts of colonialism on public health.

“Money doesn’t give me back the children I never had,” Arnaq says. “But it tells the world that what happened to us was wrong. And that is something.”

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making any health-related decisions or changes to your treatment plan. The information presented here is based on current research and expert opinions, which may evolve as new evidence emerges.