Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has formally apologized to six Greenlandic women who were subjected to systematic discrimination and injustice in what has become known as the spiral case. The apology addresses the severe harm caused by the Danish state’s handling of their contraception and reproductive health.

The women, who were fitted with intrauterine devices (IUDs) without their informed consent in the 1960s and 1970s, experienced significant trauma as a result of the procedures. The Prime Minister acknowledged the state’s failure to protect their rights and autonomy.

The spiral case has brought to light a dark chapter in the relationship between Denmark and Greenland. The systematic fitting of IUDs was part of a broader effort to control the population growth in Greenland, which at the time was a Danish colony. The lack of consent and the long-term health consequences have had a devastating impact on the women and their families.

The government has allocated funds for compensation to the women affected by the spiral case. The amount of compensation will be determined on an individual basis, taking into account the severity of the harm suffered. The apology and the compensation are seen as important steps towards reconciliation and acknowledging the historical injustices committed against the Greenlandic people.