Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen visits Greenland on Wednesday to officially apologize to women and girls affected by the spiral scandal. During the 1960s and 1970s, approximately 4,500 Greenlandic women had intrauterine devices inserted, often without consent, to limit childbirth.
The scandal has deepened tensions between Greenland and Denmark. Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark but has been seeking greater independence.
One victim, Henriette Berthelsen, received an IUD when she was just 13 years old. She refuses to attend the apology ceremony, calling it political theater. Many Greenlanders question whether the apology addresses the real harm caused.
This formal apology comes after years of pressure from affected women and human rights groups. The Danish government faces criticism for taking decades to acknowledge the systematic reproductive coercion.
The timing raises questions about Denmark's motivations. Some observers note the apology coincides with ongoing discussions about Greenland's future relationship with Denmark.