bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sponsorType

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Agence France-Presse

A Scottish local authority’s decision to appoint a man as its first “period dignity officer” sparked a fierce backlash on Wednesday, with former tennis star Martina Navratilova calling the decision “ridiculous”.
Jason Grant, from the city of Dundee north of Edinburgh, was chosen by Tayside Council to promote access to free sanitary products in schools and colleges across the region.
The role, which also requires Grant to discuss issues around menopause, is the first of its kind in Scotland.
“This is just f****** ridiculous,” Navratilova, the 18-time grand slam winner wrote on Twitter in response to the appointment.

Scotland has just appointed the first Period Dignity Officer… and it’s a man.

You couldn’t make this stuff up. pic.twitter.com/yFfdIFLwGJ
— Samantha Smith 🇬🇧🇺🇦 (@SamanthaTaghoy) August 15, 2022

“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’s appointment came two days after Scotland was internationally lauded for becoming the first country in the world to implement a law protecting the right to free sanitary products.
The Period Products Act legally obliges councils and education providers to make the free items available to those who need them.
Gina Davidson, radio station LBC’s Scotland political editor, said hiring Grant in the role was “the epitome of mansplaining”.
Ultimate mansplaining? Panel on feminism has 11 participants, all men
Her comments followed the release by his public relations team of a photograph of Grant talking with a woman and daughter about period products.
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.”
In statement announcing his new position, Grant said: “I think being a man will help me to break down barriers, reduce stigma and encourage more open discussions”.
“Although affecting women directly, periods are an issue for everyone,” he said.


Trump’s Greenland bid might force EU to stop placating him and fight back

Trump wants nations to pay US$1 billion to stay on his Board of Peace

The world’s best watch museums, workshops and archives, from Panerai to Seiko

Trump hits Denmark and 7 other Nato allies with tariffs for opposing US on Greenland

Britain

Backlash in Scotland after man appointed its first ‘period dignity officer’

Scotland’s new Period Products Act legally obliges councils and education providers to make the free items available to those who need them. Photo: Shutterstock

Surge in Britons relying on charities for sanitary pads as inflations worsens

A pivot toward renewable period products is also threatened by Britain’s cost of living crisis. Photo: Reuters

Britain’s inflation is expected to peak at 13.3 per cent in October when energy price caps rise. Photo: AP

Scotland to become first country in the world to ensure access to free period products

Scotland’s Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison.

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Photo: AP 

Economist article on ‘fat’ Arab women sparks uproar over body-shaming, legal action from Enas Taleb

Iraqi actress Enas Taleb  has begun legal action against The Economist magazine after her photo was used to illustrate how Arab women are more prone to putting on weight. Photo: Enas Taleb via AP

Enas Taleb said she is suing The Economist magazine after her photo was used to illustrate how Arab women are more prone to putting on weight. Photo: Enas Taleb via AP

The Economist is being sued by Iraqi actress Enas Talabe for using a photo of her to illustrate a controversial article on obesity among Arab women. Photo: AP

News

World

Europe


Jason Grant was chosen by a local authority to promote access to sanitary products in schools and to discuss issues around menopause
The appointment comes 2 days after Scotland was internationally lauded for becoming the first country to pass a law to make such products available for free



Jason Grant was hired to promote access to sanitary products in schools; Scotland has just passed a law to make such products available for free.


Gender

Women and gender

5050