Impact of the Greenland Women Project on Society and Women’s Rights

The project on the forced sterilization of Inuit women in Greenland, titled Spiralkampagnen, captured by Juliette Pavy and awarded Photographer of the Year at the 2024 Sony World Photography Awards, sheds light on a dark chapter in history and raises awareness about the lasting effects of birth control practices carried out without consent. The series explores the violation of women’s rights and the trauma experienced by the victims, giving voice to those who were silenced for decades.

The powerful imagery depicting the city of Nuuk, clinical spaces, X-ray images, and archival photographs of the young women involved in the spiralkampagnen (“coil campaign”) serves as a poignant reminder of the atrocities committed against this vulnerable group. The project not only documents the past but also highlights the resilience of survivors like Naja Lyberth, who bravely shared their stories and formed a support network to help others cope with the trauma.

By bringing this issue to the forefront, the Greenland Women Project has the potential to spark conversations about reproductive rights, medical ethics, and indigenous rights. It calls for accountability, justice, and recognition of the harm inflicted on Inuit women and girls, aiming to prevent such violations from happening again in the future. The project’s impact extends beyond the realms of photography, serving as a catalyst for social change and advocacy for women’s rights worldwide.