In a shocking case of forced contraception, over 100 women in Greenland are suing the Danish government for a policy that led to thousands of Inuit women and girls being fitted with IUDs without their consent. One such victim, Bula Larsen, recalls being just 14 years old when she was taken to a hospital and forced to have an IUD inserted without her agreement.
The scandal was brought to light by Danish journalists Celine Klint and Anne Pilegaard Petersen, who uncovered a government policy aimed at reducing Greenland’s birthrate to save money. Many of the victims suffered physical and emotional damage as a result of the coerced procedures, with some as young as 13 years old at the time.
As the women seek justice through legal action, an inquiry into the matter has been initiated. The case has shed light on the systemic discrimination faced by Inuit women and the violation of their reproductive rights. The women are determined to hold the government accountable for the harm done to them and to ensure that such abuses are never repeated.
The scandal has sparked outrage and calls for accountability from both the Danish and Greenlandic communities. It serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting individual autonomy and ensuring that reproductive health decisions are made with informed consent. The women are hopeful that through their lawsuit, they will finally receive the justice they deserve.
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