A wave of criticism has emerged following the official appointment of a man as Scotland's first "period dignity officer".
Critics argue that the job - which involves promoting access to free sanitary products in schools and colleges - should have been given to a woman. As part of the role, Jason Grant, from Dundee, will also discuss women's issues around menopause.
It comes after Scotland became the first country in the world to introduce a law to spread free access to sanitary products. Mr Grant's role as Period Dignity Regional Lead officer is the first of its kind but it has caused some backlash on social media. Gina Davidson, of LBC Radio, claimed the appointment is "the epitome of mansplaining".
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She commented on a photo sent out by MR Grant's PR, Grainger Public Relations, which featured the former personal trainer with a woman and daughter, talking about period products. Meanwhile, former tennis star Martina Navratilova said Mr Grant's appointment is "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 newspaper columnist and women’s rights campaigner, tweeted: “I have no idea why anyone thought it was a good idea to appoint a bloke.”
The advert for the job previously stated that the successful 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”.
SNP MP Ian Blackford said: "“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 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 said: "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.”
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. It’s time to normalise these topics and get real around the subject.
“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.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government does not have any involvement in these posts or appointments nor do we fund them directly. Subject to some statutory requirements, it is for each individual organisation to determine how to meet their duties under the Period Products Act and they have been empowered by the Act to decide through consultation what works best in their area responding to local need and circumstances.
“Some local authorities are appointing staff to ensure they are complying with their new duties and making free products in line with the Act, ensuring there is information available on where to access the products, and also tackling issues such as the stigma that still surrounds accessing period products.”
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