Kathmandu— Denmark will provide financial compensation to Greenlandic women who were fitted with intrauterine devices (IUDs) or other contraceptives without their consent during a period when Copenhagen managed the island’s healthcare system. The Danish parliament approved the scheme on Thursday, allocating approximately $47,000 to each eligible claimant, potentially reaching around 4,500 women impacted by what has become known as the “spiral scandal.” The payouts aim to address systematic discrimination experienced by Greenlandic girls and women between 1966 and the early 1990s, stemming from a Danish policy aimed at curbing population growth and imposing family planning ideals.

Historical Context of the ‘Spiral Scandal’

An independent inquiry revealed that at least 4,070 women and girls, some as young as 12 years old, were fitted with IUDs between 1966 and 1970 – representing nearly half of Greenland's female population of reproductive age. The practice continued to a lesser extent until the early 1990s when healthcare control transitioned to Greenlandic authorities. The inquiry gathered testimony from 354 women detailing 488 contraceptive incidents, with approximately 72% reporting either no consent or unclear consent regarding the procedures.

Motivations Behind the Policy

The controversial campaign was driven by Danish concerns over rapid population growth in Greenland. Authorities sought to reduce birth rates as modernization increased demand for housing, schools, and other services, placing a financial strain on the Danish state. Beyond economic factors, the inquiry also found that Denmark aimed to impose its family planning ideals – favoring smaller nuclear families – onto Greenlandic society, which traditionally relied heavily on extended family networks.

Official Response and Apology

Greenland’s former Prime Minister Mute Inequnaaluk Bourup Egede has characterized Denmark’s actions as “genocide.” While Copenhagen does not agree with this characterization, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen issued an apology last year on behalf of Denmark. She acknowledged that Greenlandic girls and women had suffered “systematic discrimination” solely due to their ethnicity, describing the controversy as a “dark chapter” in the country’s history.

Compensation Scheme Details

Claimants will receive 300,000 kroner (approximately $47,000) tax-free, regardless of the contraceptive method used or the number of incidents experienced. The process requires a sworn statement with sufficient detail to establish plausibility; medical records are not required due to the age of the alleged incidents and potential loss of documentation. The Danish parliament approved the payout by a large majority.

The compensation scheme is now authorized following parliamentary approval, and eligible women can begin submitting claims based on the outlined criteria.

(With inputs from RT)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.