Denmark and Greenland have formally agreed to launch a two-year investigation into historic birth control practices carried out for many years on Inuit Greenlanders by Danish doctors.
Thousands of Inuit women and girls were fitted with an intrauterine device (IUD), commonly known as a coil, during the 1960s and 70s.
Now 60, Naja is one of the first to speak out about what happened.
“I can remember the doctors [in] white coats, and maybe there was a nurse. I saw the metal things [stirrups] where you should spread your legs. It was very frightening. The equipment the doctors used was so big for my child body – it was like having knives inside me.”
Naja says her parents’ permission had not been sought, and that her classmates were also sent to hospital but did not talk about it because “it was too shocking”.
Mr Rud believes the rationale for introducing the coil was partly financial, but also the result of colonial attitudes.
A high proportion of young single mothers was another concern that prompted family-planning initiatives.
Doctors wrote about the coil initiative in journals, perceiving it a success, Mr Rud adds. Records show the birth rate halved in just a few years.
Counselling has been offered to those affected by the birth control practice, but Arnannguaq Poulsen hopes there will be compensation.
“I know there are many women that cannot have children,” she says.
Source: Inuit Greenlanders demand answers over Danish birth control scandal – BBC News