Danish authorities allegedly coerced more than 350 Greenlandic females, inclusive of women and young girls, into receiving contraceptives, according to a recent report.

In the small Arctic island of Greenland, a disturbing investigation has uncovered allegations of forced contraception on Indigenous women and girls, spanning several decades.

The Greenlandic Reconciliation Commission (Grønlands Retsopgørelseskommission) has been investigating the cases of coerced contraception and forced sterilization of Inuit women and girls by Danish health authorities in Greenland between the 1960s and early 1990s.

The investigation, which began on June 1, 2023, followed a media outcry and received reports from 354 women aged 48 to 89. Nearly 150 of these women have sued Denmark and filed compensation claims against its health ministry.

The majority of the procedures occurred in Greenland, with the victims not informed about the procedures or giving their consent. The alleged purpose of the forced contraception was to limit population growth in Greenland.

The investigation's conclusion was made public amidst Greenland being in the headlines due to U.S. President Donald Trump's interest in U.S. jurisdiction over Greenland. Trump has not ruled out the use of military force to take control of the mineral-rich, strategically located Arctic island.

The alleged victims were primarily between 12 and 37 years old at the time, with one girl under 12. Danish authorities estimate that as many as 4,500 women and girls received intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs) between the 1960s and mid-1970s, which is reportedly half the fertile women in Greenland at the time.

The contraception methods also included hormonal birth control injections. Many victims experienced traumatic experiences, with physical side effects ranging from pain and bleeding to serious infections.

Following the investigation's findings, the governments of Denmark and Greenland apologised last month for their roles in the historic mistreatment. Greenland, which was a colony under Denmark's crown until 1953, became a province in Denmark. It took over its own health care programs on January 1, 1992, and in 1979, Greenland was granted home rule, and 30 years later it became a self-governing entity.

The leaders of Denmark and Greenland have also stated that Greenland is not for sale, amidst the ongoing controversy. Furthermore, it has been reported that at least three people with connections to Trump have been carrying out covert influence operations in Greenland.

This investigation serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding human rights and respecting the autonomy of Indigenous peoples. It is a call for accountability and justice for the women who were affected by these actions, and a call for continued efforts to ensure that such atrocities are never repeated.

Danish authorities allegedly coerced more than 350 Greenlandic females, inclusive of women and young girls, into receiving contraceptives, according to a recent report.