'Epitome of mansplaining': Fury as man becomes Scottish ‘period dignity officer’
The decision to appoint a man as one of Scotland’s “period dignity officers” has been described as the "epitome of mansplaining" amid a major backlash.
Critics say the job, which involves promoting access to free sanitary products in schools and colleges across the Tay region, should have gone to a woman.
Jason Grant, from Dundee, will also discuss issues around the menopause as part of his role.
In an earlier statement announcing his new job role, Mr Grant said: “I think being a man will help me to break down barriers, reduce stigma and encourage more open discussions.
“Although affecting women directly, periods are an issue for everyone.
“We’ll also raise awareness of the menopause which, although a natural process for women, has wider repercussions in the world of work and family.
“I believe I can make progress by proving this isn’t just a female topic, encouraging conversations across all genders and educating and engaging new audiences.”
The announcement comes as Scotland becomes the first country in the world to introduce a law to widen access, free of charge, to sanitary products.
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Mr Grant’s appointment, as Period Dignity Regional Lead Officer, the first role of its kind in the country, has sparked an outcry across social media.
Gina Davidson, of radio station LBC, said the move “is the epitome of mansplaining”.
She commented on a photo sent out by Mr Grant’s PRs, Grainger Public Relations, which had a photo of the former personal trainer pictured with a woman and daughter, talking about period products.
The job advert said the suitable candidate needed a “successful track record of engaging and empowering a large range of people from a diverse range of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, in particular young people who menstruate”.
According to a press release from Grainger PR, Mr Grant will be working with the period dignity working group, which has representatives of Dundee and Angus College, Perth College, Angus Council and Dundee City Council.
SNP MP Ian Blackford said a woman would be better for the role.
“I think it’s important that we get the policy right, I think it’s important that we implement it and I would have thought, as a principle, it would be far better that women are in these posts than anyone else,” the SNP’s leader at Westminster told Sky News.
“It’s a policy that we should all be proud of. At the end of the day, I think there should be a priority of having women in place in these posts.”
A spokesperson for the Period Dignity Working Group defended the move saying Mr Grant was the strongest candidate, adding: “This new role, funded by the Scottish government, was created to promote and implement new legislation, specifically focused on project management.
“The role builds on some fantastic work which has been gathering speed across the Tay region for several years, led by a passionate group of people of all genders, ages and backgrounds.
“By changing the culture, encouraging debate and removing the stigma around periods, we look forward to supporting the delivery of this important work across the region.”
The spokesperson added Mr Grant is not available for interviews.
The Scottish government’s Period Products Act means that councils and places of education must make items, such as tampons, free to people who need them.
A Scottish government spokesperson said: “The Scottish government does not have any involvement in these posts or appointments nor do we fund them directly."