Naja Lyberth: There are still many battles to fight

To go for a walk , when you have a lot on your mind, can be one of the best ways to find peace. And so is a walk in good weather always refreshing. Most people can nod in recognition. One of them is Naja Lyberth, who walks between 8,000 and 10,000 steps every day.

- There have actually been fewer since I got it a blood clot in February, but I have recovered well, says Naja Lyberth, when we meet and go for a walk at Ilimmarfik in Nuuk.

To go for a walk , when you have a lot on your mind, can be one of the best ways to find peace. And so is a walk in good weather always refreshing. Most people can nod in recognition. One of them is Naja Lyberth, who walks between 8,000 and 10,000 steps every day.

- There have actually been fewer since I got it a blood clot in February, but I have recovered well, says Naja Lyberth, when we meet and go for a walk at Ilimmarfik in Nuuk.

The wanderlust woman, who is also known as a spokesperson for those who received IUDs without consent, they have been busy recent year. She is at the head of the 143 women who will contest the state. One of the biggest milestones came recently when they got an official apology from Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and the chairman of Naalakkersuisut, Jens-Frederik Nielsen

- I felt very happy, mostly because we don't have to fight for years to be heard, says Naja Lyberth.

We went for a walk with Naja Lyberth on Friday 5 September. Listen to the entire conversation with her below. The podcast is in Greenlandic.

An apology that brings back memories

Although the apology has brought joy, it also evokes painful feelings.

- This of course has consequences for them women who are victims of it. Especially those who have never been able to have children. For some people get angry, others get desperate, she says.

When the spiral case fills the media, it affects the many.

- It is the same as for those who have been subjected to sexual abuse. When the subject appears in the media, they get relapse. I can imagine many women in the IUD case wearing it the same way, says Naja Lyberth, who is also a psychologist.

The apology was given on August 27 i a press release, without an official marking. It disappointed several.

- To apologize without informing us advance, without looking us in the eye, but instead saying it through the media, do it intangible. I understand that many are affected, she says.

Later it was announced that one is coming official marking of the apology in Katuaq on September 24.

In a waiting position

Although the apology has brought the group closer to their goal, they are still on hold. The women demand each one individually DKK 300,000 in compensation. But the prime minister did not mention anything concrete about compensation when she said sorry.

- We are waiting. I am more where I am says: Let's see, says Naja Lyberth.

Greenland took over the healthcare system on 1 January 1992. Women who received an IUD without consent after this date will have compensation, announced the chairman of Naalakkersuisut. But women who got spiral, while the state was in charge of health care, still don't know if they receive compensation.

- We have heard in the media that the compensation is on its way. But if the amount is lower, the court must decide. I hope however, we can avoid going to court, she says.

By the end of 1970, at least 4,070 had Greenlandic women and girls are given IUDs. Several of them did not know once what was going on. And according to Naja Lyberth, the group of women stays there will sue the state, ever larger.

- We imagine that there will be both group 2 and a group 3. We are not only 143. We see ourselves as pioneering women, she says.

A disappointing survey

In 2023, Prime Minister Mette said Frederiksen that she would not decide on an apology before the investigation into the spiral case was finished. Still, the apology came before the investigation was published. Work on the investigation started on 1 June 2023, and the conclusion was presented on Tuesday 9 September 2025. We met Naja Lyberth, before the investigation was published, and asked her what she expected. She replied:

- I expect that they will say there is a violation of human rights occurred, even if it was not theirs task to investigate it. They have gathered women's testimonies and I hope so it will clearly appear that the rights were violated, says Naja Lyberth.

Many are disappointed that the investigation did not included the issue of human rights.

- We were reluctant from the start. They wouldn't even talk to our parents who then had authority over us, when we were under 18, she says.

The work is far from finished

Naja Lyberth and other women who got set up IUDs without knowing it, still suffer the consequences. 52 women have never been able to have children, 74 have had serious damage to the fallopian tubes and had difficulty getting pregnant, and 112 women have had repeated pelvic infections.

Therefore, the spokesperson expects that the work continues, even though they have now received an apology.

- It will probably take some time before we don't have to fight more. I can't imagine us giving up, says Naja Lyberth.

They only stop work when others takes over the responsibility, she emphasizes.

– If we can make sure that a department or others take over the case, we can be released from responsibility.

For her, the community is with the others women a great strength.

- We who are victims stand together. We cooperate and make room for each other. The love and support we have for each other, is our reward in the midst of all that is difficult. We are like sisters, says she.

When the compensation is in place, and the responsibility lies with others, she can finally let go of the task.

- When we get there, I will stay old in peace and in good health, concludes Naja Lyberth.