The appointment of a person as Scotland’s first “period dignity officer” has provoked widespread criticism.
Critics say the job ought to have gone to a lady and former tennis star Martina Navratilova has labelled the appointment of Jason Grant “f****** ridiculous”.
Mr Grant, a former private coach, has been given the job of selling entry to free sanitary merchandise in colleges and schools throughout the Tay area.
The position additionally contains discussing points across the menopause.
His appointment comes as Scotland turns into the primary nation on the planet to introduce a legislation to widen entry, freed from cost, to sanitary merchandise.
The Scottish Government’s Period Products Act implies that councils and locations of training should make gadgets, equivalent to tampons, free to individuals who want them
Mr Grant’s job title is Period Dignity Regional Lead Officer, the primary position of its type in Scotland.
News of his appointment has prompted criticism on social media and elsewhere.
Critics included former tennis champion Martina Navratilova, who reacted on Twitter, posting: “This is just f****** ridiculous.”
She added: “Have we ever tried to explain to men how to shave or how to take care of their prostate or whatever?!? This is absurd.”
Susan Dalgety, a feminist and columnist for The Scotsman newspaper, instructed Sky News: “It’s great that Scotland is the first country in the world to offer free period products – thanks largely to the efforts of Monica Lennon, a Labour MSP who made tackling period poverty her mission.
“But I’m astonished {that a} man has been appointed to be lead on “period dignity” in Tayside. It takes mansplaining to a brand new stage.
“Jason has said being a man will help him reduce stigma and that it is time to normalise topics like menstruation and menopause.
“Periods are regular life for ladies, we do not want some bloke in a blood purple polo-shirt elevating our consciousness.”
According to a press release from Grainger Public Relations, Mr Grant will be employed by a “undertaking crew” comprising Dundee and Angus College, Perth College, Angus Council and Dundee City Council. Both councils are SNP-led.
SNP’s Ian Blackford: A girl can be much better
When requested about Mr Grant’s appointment in an interview with Sky News, the SNP’s chief at Westminster, Ian Blackford MP, mentioned he favoured having a lady within the position of interval dignity officer.
He mentioned: “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.
“It’s a coverage that we should always all be happy with. At the tip of the day, I feel there needs to be a precedence of getting ladies in place in these posts.”
In the wake of the controversy, Jason Grant’s PR representatives mentioned he wasn’t obtainable for interview.
In an earlier assertion saying his two-year appointment, he was quoted as saying: “I think being a man will help me to break down barriers, reduce stigma and encourage more open discussions.
“Although affecting ladies immediately, intervals are a difficulty for everybody.
“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.
“It’s time to normalise these subjects and get actual across the topic.
“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 identical PR firm has subsequently issued a press launch that states: “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.
“With all companions within the working group equal alternatives employers, Jason was the strongest candidate.
“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.”
Source: information.sky.com”