Indigenous Greenland women sue Denmark over forced contraception

Subject: Geography

Section: Human geography

Context:

In Greenland, 143 Indigenous Inuit women have filed a lawsuit against Denmark, demanding compensation of nearly 43 million kroner ($6.3 million) for being forcibly fitted with intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs) during the 1960s and 70s.

Details:

These women, some of whom were teenagers at the time, allege that Danish health authorities violated their human rights by inserting these devices without their awareness or consent, aiming to curb population growth in Greenland amidst improving living conditions and healthcare.
Although Greenland transitioned from a Danish colony to a province in 1953, the matter has prompted a joint investigation by the governments of Denmark and Greenland, with findings expected next year.

About Intrauterine Contraceptive Devices (ICD):

An IUD is a small T-shaped plastic and copper device that’s put into one’s womb (uterus) by a doctor or nurse.
It releases copper to stop one getting pregnant, and protects against pregnancy for between 5 and 10 years. It’s sometimes called a “coil” or “copper coil”.

Uses, advantages and disadvantages:

When inserted correctly, IUDs are more than 99% effective.
An IUD works as soon as it’s put in and lasts for 5 to 10 years, depending on the type.
It can be put in at any time during one’s menstrual cycle, as long as one is not pregnant.
It can be taken out at any time by a specially trained doctor or nurse. It’s then possible to get pregnant straight away.
There’s a small risk of getting an infection after it’s been fitted.
There’s a small risk that one’s body may push out the IUD or it may move.
It may not be suitable if one has had previous pelvic infections.
It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

About Greenland:

Greenland is a North American autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark.
It is the larger of two autonomous territories within the Kingdom, the other being the Faroe Islands; the citizens of both territories are full citizens of Denmark.
As Greenland is one of the Overseas Countries and Territories of the European Union, citizens of Greenland are European Union citizens.
The capital and largest city of Greenland is Nuuk.
Greenland lies between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.
It is the world’s largest island, and is the location of the northernmost area of the world – Kaffeklubben Island off the northern coast is the world’s northernmost undisputed point of land, and Cape Morris Jesup on the mainland was thought to be so until the 1960s.

Source: TH