Greenland Establishes Truth Commission to Investigate Forced Contraception of Inuit Women

Greenland has announced the creation of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to examine the systematic forced contraception of thousands of Inuit women by Denmark from the 1960s to 1990. This decision follows disagreements among experts over whether the program constituted genocide.

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The forced contraception policy represents a traumatic chapter in Greenland’s colonial history under Denmark. Between 1960 and 1990, over 4,000 Greenlandic women were subjected to intrauterine devices (IUDs) without their consent—and often without parental consent for minors. Some as young as 12 were affected, with lasting physical and emotional consequences.

“We cannot determine on behalf of the government whether genocide occurred. This remains a matter for continued discussion,” stated Justice Minister Marianne Paviasen. Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen emphasized the need to “begin the healing process” through reconciliation efforts.

In Copenhagen, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed solidarity, stating, “We will handle this process jointly. Finding the right path together is most important.”

A four-member panel, mandated in August 2024, produced conflicting findings: one report concluded no genocide occurred, while another suggested it was possible. Both reports unanimously confirmed the program likely violated human rights and Indigenous peoples’ rights.

Not Just About History

Activist Henriette Berthelsen criticized the investigation process for excluding Greenlandic Inuit voices, saying, “This is not just history or politics. It’s my body, my life, and my right to self-determination. Others will investigate and define what was done to me and others.”

The Danish parliament recently approved compensation for survivors, following an official apology from Frederiksen in 2024. Media coverage has reactivated long-suppressed trauma, with victims recounting severe physical and psychological impacts. Kirstine Najarak Berthelsen described lifelong health complications and emotional scars tied to forced IUD use.

According to a 2025 investigation, by the late 1970s, approximately 4,070 women—half of Greenland’s childbearing-age population—had been sterilized. The scandal began surfacing when a victim publicly shared her experiences, later amplified by a 2022 podcast series.

Henriette Berthelsen, a 68-year-old psychologist and advocate, urged the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to acknowledge historical injustices. “Only then can we heal and move forward as equals in dignity,” she said. Nuuk and Copenhagen are also addressing other historical harms, including non-consensual adoptions.

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