In Greenland, a recent decision by the Danish government now allows thousands of Inuit women to receive compensation for the forced implantation of intrauterine devices (IUDs) under a long-standing birth-control program. This move has sparked hope among Inuit women in Canada who have endured similar experiences, urging their own government to acknowledge and apologize for past injustices.
The Danish government’s approval of the compensation bill comes after a public apology by the country’s prime minister for the historical birth-control program. A joint inquiry in 2025 revealed that between 1966 and 1991, around 4,000 Greenlandic women, some as young as 12, were subjected to forced sterilizations through IUDs without their consent or knowledge.
Naaja Nathanielsen, a Greenlandic member of parliament, emphasized the enduring impact of this dark chapter in Greenland’s history on women to this day, leading to ongoing trauma and affecting reproductive choices. The Danish government’s motive behind the program was to control birth rates and family sizes on the island.
Eligible women who were part of the forced birth-control program are entitled to a one-time compensation payment of approximately $64,000 CAD. However, some Greenlandic politicians believe that the compensation should have been provided sooner, highlighting the urgency of addressing historical injustices.
In Canada, Indigenous women have also suffered from forced and coerced sterilizations for decades, with incidents documented as recent as 2019. Reports have revealed that eugenics laws and government policies deliberately targeted Indigenous communities to reduce their birth rates.
Cecilia Papak, an Inuk woman, shared her experience of being coerced into sterilization in the late 1970s after doctors pressured her to undergo a hysterectomy, falsely claiming it was necessary for her health. Despite feeling compelled to comply, she expressed regret over the loss of her reproductive choices due to the unethical practices.
While the Canadian government is yet to issue a formal apology for the forced sterilization of Indigenous women, the recent actions taken by the Danish government have raised hopes for similar acknowledgment and compensation in Canada. Calls for justice have led to multiple class-action lawsuits against the federal government, with legislative measures being introduced to address these past wrongs.
Given the parallel experiences of forced sterilization in Greenland and Canada, there is a growing need for mutual learning and collaboration between the two nations to navigate a path towards reconciliation and healing. Building on shared histories of injustice, both countries can work together to address the systemic harm caused by forced sterilization practices.
This development underscores the importance of acknowledging past wrongs, seeking redress, and fostering dialogue to prevent such atrocities from recurring globally.