Critics say the job should have gone to a woman, with former tennis star Martina Navratilova calling Jason Grant’s appointment “f****** ridiculous”. Mr Grant, a former personal trainer, has taken on the task of promoting access to free hygiene products in schools and colleges across the Tay region. The role also involves discussing issues surrounding the menopause. His appointment comes as Scotland becomes the first country in the world to introduce legislation to widen access, free of charge, to hygiene products. The Scottish Government’s Period Products Act means councils and schools must provide items such as tampons for free to people who need them Mr Grant’s job title is Period Dignity Regional Lead Officer, the first role of its kind in Scotland. News of his appointment has drawn criticism on social media and elsewhere. Critics include former tennis champion Martina Navratilova, who hit back on Twitter, posting: “This is just ridiculous.” He added: “Have we ever tried to explain to men how to shave or how to take care of their prostate or anything?? That’s absurd.” Susan Dalgety, feminist and columnist for The Scotsman, told Sky News: “It’s great that Scotland is the first country in the world to offer free period products – thanks in no small part to the efforts of Monica Lennon, a Labor MSP who made the poverty treatment period her mission. “But I am surprised that a man has been appointed head of ‘magazine decency’ in Tayside. “Jason said that being a man will help him reduce the stigma and that it’s time to normalize issues like menstruation and menopause. “Periods are normal life for women, we don’t need some guy in a red polo shirt to make us aware.” According to a press release from Grainger Public Relations, Mr Grant will be recruited from a “project team” made up of Dundee and Angus College, Perth College, Angus Council and Dundee City Council. Both councils are SNP led. Image: Mr Grant is pictured showing period produce to a family group SNP’s Ian Blackford: A woman would be much better When asked about Mr Grant’s appointment in an interview with Sky News, the SNP leader in Westminster, Ian Blackford MP, said he preferred to have a woman in the role of period dignity officer. She said: “I think it’s important to get the policy right, I think it’s important to implement it and I would think that, as a start, it would be much better to have women in those positions than anybody else. “It’s a policy we should all be proud of. At the end of the day, I think it should be a priority to have women in these positions.” Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 8:12 Westminster SNP leader Ian Blackford speaks to Sky News In the wake of the controversy, Jason Grant’s PR reps said he was unavailable for an interview. In an earlier statement announcing his two-year appointment, he was quoted as saying: “I think being a man will help me break down barriers, reduce stigma and encourage more open discussions. “Although it directly affects women, periods are an issue for everyone. “We will also raise awareness of menopause, which, although a natural process for women, has wider implications in the world of work and family. “It’s time to normalize these issues and get real about it. “I believe I can make progress by proving that this is not just a women’s issue, by encouraging conversations between all genders, and by educating and engaging new audiences.” The same PR firm then issued a press release saying: “This new role, funded by the Scottish Government, has been created to promote and implement new legislation, specifically focused on project management.” “The role builds on some fantastic work that has been accelerating in the Tay area over several years, led by a passionate team of people of all genders, ages and backgrounds. “With all the partners in the Equal Opportunity Employers Task Force, Jason was the strongest candidate. “By changing the culture, encouraging conversation and removing the stigma around periods, we look forward to supporting the delivery of this important work across the region.”
