Jason Grant has resigned as Scotland’s only male period dignity officer
(Picture: Grainger PR)Scotland’s only male period dignity officer has resigned amid outrage that the position should be held by a woman.
SNP Westminster leader Sir Ian Blackford and others including Tennis legend Martina Navratilova spoke out against a working group’s decision to hire Jason Grant in August.
Mr Grant’s role would have involved overseeing the distribution of free period products in Tayside through public bodies.
But he resigned after people in the working group, made up of local councils, received abuse and threats, The National reports.
Mr Grant was formerly a student wellbeing officer at Dundee and Angus College, and the role was designed to be a 24-month secondment from this.
A spokesperson for the working group said: “It is regrettable that given the threats and abuse levelled at individuals in recent weeks, the period dignity regional lead officer role will not continue.
“Support will continue to be provided to the colleagues and students who have been subjected to personal attack. Their safety and wellbeing is of paramount importance.”
In a press release promoting his appointment, 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.
“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.”
Mr Grant had been expected to lead a regional campaign across schools and communities to raise awareness of the new Scottish law, which protects the right to free sanitary products.
Scotland is the first country in the world to enforce such policy.
Introduced in August, the Period Products Act meant councils and education providers will be legally required to make free sanitary products available to those who need them.
Since 2017, around £27 million has been spent to provide access in public settings.
The legislation was proposed by Labour MSP Monica Lennon and it was unanimously backed in the Scottish Parliament in 2020.
