A Scottish Man Has Been Appointed To Tell Women About Menstruation Because Of Course He Has

A Kilt Isn't A Skirt, Dude

Jason Grant, male at large

The appointment of a man as Scotland’s first “period dignity officer” has sparked outrage, with critics calling the news "absurd".

Jason Grant was announced as the period dignity officer for the Tay region in a role believed to be the first of its kind, after Scotland became the first country in the world to protect the right to free period products in law.

Now I’m sure Jason here is qualified somehow to know the ins-and-outs of menstrual cycles as much as I am but given the current climate in Scotland where women are basically being systematically erased by fiat where no dissention is tolerated this appointment is utterly tone deaf to say the least.

Susan Dalgety, a columnist for The Scotsman newspaper, told Sky News the appointment "takes mansplaining to a new level".

Even tennis star star Martina Navratilova was moved to say the appointment of Grant was “fucking absurd”.

At the time of his appointment, Grant said that he wanted to prove that period dignity and related issues were not just a "female topic".

"I think being a man will help me to break down barriers, reduce stigma and encourage more open discussions,” he said in a statement announcing his appointment. “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".

Allow me to stop you right there, chief. In no way does the issue of menstruation cut across all genders as there clearly is only one sex (female) that experiences that lovely time of the month and, clearly, this isn’t an issue that affects everybody.

Only women.

Scottish MP Neale Hanvey tweeted: "It is incomprehensible that a young male without lived experience of menstruation is an appropriate person to address the needs of pre-pubescent girls at this vulnerable stage of development." Meanwhile, Scottish policy analyst Lisa Mackenzie wrote on Twitter, "With our Menstrual Mansplainer, Scotland is 'world leading', apparently."

Another responded to some groups defending the appointment by joking: "And in other news, Scotland's first period dignity officer reacts to the backlash following his appointment by issuing a statement: 'Alright, alright, calm down…. Jesus…I mean what's up with you? Are you all on the blob?'"

I must admit, however, that Scotland has made a significant move as Scotland is the first country to have made this investment in its period-care access. Making period products free, and making sure people know about available period products by creating roles like period dignity officers, is admirable, considering how many people worldwide experience period poverty.

And period poverty is a thing. Period poverty is a lack of access to menstrual products, education, hygiene facilities, waste management, or a combination of these. It affects an estimated 500 million women and girls worldwide.

Women and girls who experience period poverty are unable to purchase the menstrual products they need, and, in many cases, this means that they cannot go to school or work or otherwise participate in daily life.

Period poverty causes physical, mental, and emotional challenges. It can make women and girls feel shame for menstruating, and the stigma surrounding periods prevents individuals from talking about it.

And it does a number on women and girl’s physical health: unable to access menstrual products have reported using rags, toilet paper, and children’s diapers. Some women and girls have also used the menstrual products they did have for longer than intended.

Using these alternative products puts them at higher risk of urogenital infections, which are infections of the urinary and genital systems. These infections include urinary tract infections and bacterial vaginosis.

Using products longer than intended can also be dangerous. Leaving a tampon in for too long can increase their risk of toxic shock syndrome, a rare but dangerous infection.

So while the choice to give this job to a man has, understandably, raised some eyebrows - mine especially - I hope, at least, that the idea of free period products catches on elsewhere.