Group defends hiring a man for role of menstruation dignity officer

The Period Dignity Working group has defended their choice of appointing a man as a menstruation dignity officer after copping backlash.

As Scotland becomes the first country to provide free period products after passing the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021), the law has faced its first hurdle.

Jason Grant was hired as a period dignity regional lead officer for the Tay region. Grant has also previously worked as a student wellbeing officer at a college, according to CNN.

Part of Grant’s role will be working with the Period Dignity Working group to help distribute free period products in public areas while discussing issues of menopause.

However, his recent promotion was panned, with many insisting a woman would be more suitable for the role.

Tennis legend Martina Navratilova responded to the news via Twitter: “Does he menstruate? I somehow doubt it…”

Barrister Charlotte Proudman also questioned his hiring: “In the UK, 1 in 10 girls can’t afford to buy menstrual products. I remember at school, girls used sanitary pads because tampons were unaffordable. 

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“What experience does Jason Grant have of this? I'm all *for* men's support - but let's have women lead on our experiences.”

While journalist Susan Dalgety said hiring Grant would lead to him ‘mansplaining’ periods to women.

According to the job advert obtained by BBC News, Period Dignity Working sought someone with 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’.

Following the public scrutiny, a spokesperson for the group issued a statement claiming that Grant was the most qualified person for the position.

The spokesperson said: "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."

Grant also shared with The Courier that while he knew stepping into the position would raise some eyebrows; he hopes to be a positive male role model.

“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,” he said.