Greenland: Forced Birth Control on Inuit Girls in the 1960s Sparks Controversy
Naja Lyberth’s experience of receiving an IUD at age 12 reflects a larger historical issue. Thousands of Inuit girls in Greenland were given IUDs by Danish doctors in the 1960s and 70s, often without consent, leading to potential reproductive health issues. Records indicate that approximately half of fertile women in Greenland received IUDs during this time, contributing to a significant drop in the birthrate. Now, over 100 Inuit women are suing Denmark for $6 million, alleging human rights violations, though the investigation into the matter is still ongoing.
John Q. Hosedrinker