THE decision to appoint a man as Scotland’s first period dignity officer has sparked some backlash.
It was revealed on Monday that former personal trainer Jason Grant – who was previously a student wellbeing officer with Dundee and Angus College – was chosen for the position in the Tay region.
The news came as Scotland became the first country in the world where public institutions are legally enforced to provide them.
Amongst those to criticise the decision was tennis legend Martina Navratilova, who said on social media that the decision was “absurd”.
Responding to a tweet about the decision, the Czech icon said: “And this is just f****** ridiculous.”
Have we ever tried to explain to men how to shave or how to take care of their prostate or whatever?!? This is absurd.
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) August 15, 2022
She also told a follower: “Have we ever tried to explain to men how to shave or how to take care of their prostate or whatever.
“This is absurd.”
Grant has been hired on a two-year fixed-term contract and is employed by a project team that also includes Dundee and Angus College, Perth College, Angus Council and Dundee City Council.
His plan is to work directly with colleges and local authorities to ensure period dignity across the area.
Speaking to The Courier, he said: “I’m absolutely buzzing about it. It’s definitely pioneering as Scotland is the first to do this.
“It’s about making people aware of the availability of period products for anyone of any gender, whenever they need it.
“I was chosen as the best person for the job and for me, it’s irrespective of gender.
“Having a guy can’t be a bad thing – it grabs the headlines, but that’s not the reason I was put into the post.
“For me it’s about driving the discussion from a young age so boys and girls are included and there’s no hiding it away because that keeps it as a taboo topic.
“I want to be seen as a positive role model.”
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford was quizzed about the decision on Sky News on Tuesday.
He said it was “important” to have officers in place and that “women are supported as much as they should be”.
However, he said, “as a principle, it would be far better that women are in these posts”.
Blackford continued: “I think it’s important that we get the policy right, I think it’s important that we implement it.
Should a man hold the first Period Dignity Officer position in Scotland? Ian Blackford MP says as a principle it would better if 'women were in these posts' and adds that Scotland should be proud of its actions against period poverty. Read more here 👉 https://t.co/JPlZp5wSoG pic.twitter.com/3bIVM2oZeo
— Sky News (@SkyNews) August 16, 2022
“I would have thought as a principle, it would be far better that women are in these posts than anyone else.”
Asked about Navratilova’s comments, he said: “It’s a policy that we should all be proud of with the steps that have been taken.
“I think at the end of the day, I think there should be a priority of having women in place in these posts.
“I’m not aware of the circumstances in Dundee Council but of course there has to be equality when it comes to employment legislation but first and foremost, these should be posts that should be ideally taken up by women.”
As well as Navratilova, actress Frances Barber also gave her thoughts.
She tweeted: “I don’t know how Scottish women feel about this, but as an English lover of Scotland, I’m fuming.”
