Fierce backlash as Scotland appoints a man as its first 'period dignity officer'

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

A wave of criticism has emerged following the official appointment of a man as Scotland's first "period dignity officer".

Critics argue that the job - which involves promoting access to free sanitary products in schools and colleges - should have been given to a woman. As part of the role, Jason Grant, from Dundee, will also discuss women's issues around menopause.

It comes after Scotland became the first country in the world to introduce a law to spread free access to sanitary products. Mr Grant's role as Period Dignity Regional Lead officer is the first of its kind but it has caused some backlash on social media. Gina Davidson, of LBC Radio, claimed the appointment is "the epitome of mansplaining".

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She commented on a photo sent out by MR Grant's PR, Grainger Public Relations, which featured the former personal trainer with a woman and daughter, talking about period products. Meanwhile, former tennis star Martina Navratilova said Mr Grant's appointment is "f****** ridiculous".

She added: Have we ever tried to explain to men how to shave or how to take care of their prostate or whatever? This is absurd.” Susan Dalgety, a newspaper columnist and women’s rights campaigner, tweeted: “I have no idea why anyone thought it was a good idea to appoint a bloke.”

The advert for the job previously stated that the successful candidate needed 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”.

SNP MP Ian Blackford said: "“I think it’s important that we get the policy right, I think it’s important that we implement it