LONDON – Scotland received worldwide acclaim when it passed a pioneer-era law that made tampons and pads free by law and instructed schools to make them available in every building . One region even established a “period official”.
Then the role was assigned to a man.
The appointment of Jason Grant, a former personal trainer, as coordinator of the menstrual dignity scheme in Scotland’s Tayside region, north of Edinburgh, has led to widespread confusion and criticism. On Monday, the role was removed.
“As threats and abuse against individuals have increased in recent weeks, the role of the regional dignity leader will not continue,” a Working Group spokesman said. on stage dignity, the team in charge of the initiative, said in a statement.
Free tampons and tampons are mostly already available in different parts of the country, but Scotland was the first country to have a law requiring free universal access.
The law does not specify a role as a “period official,” but it does say that local governments can designate an individual to perform the duties required by the bill. The role, which pays around $40,000 a year, was created by a group of colleges and local authorities in Tayside, as part of a project funded by the Scottish government.
Mr. Grant’s work, according to Work posted, is also to ensure that Scottish government funding is properly distributed. The requirements for the job are “a successful record of attracting and empowering a wide range of people”, including “especially menstruating young people”.
Prior to assuming this role, Mr. Grant also worked for a tobacco company, and was a student health officer for Dundee College and Angus, one of a number of colleges participating in the process. recruitment process, according to a statement from the Period Dignity Working Group. The group said Mr Grant had no comment.
But in an earlier statement, the team explained that, “The hiring of Jason is unquestionable” because of his vast experience in project management from both the private and public sectors. , “along with his passion for making a difference for everyone in the community, amazing! “
In the statement, Mr. Grant said he has planned performing arts workshops at schools and colleges to advance education through the ages.
“I think being a man will help me break down barriers, reduce stigma and encourage more open discussions,” he said. speak“Despite directly affecting women, menstruation is a problem for everyone.”
Not everyone agrees.
“A man will be the explainer stage,” Nicola Murray, who runs a support group for women who have lost children to domestic violence in Scotland wrote on Twitter.
“Wondering if he ever experienced the horror of a bloody dress in public or the nagging fear of being late for his period? No, don’t think so,” said Susan Dalgety, columnist and women’s rights campaigner, Written on Twitter.
Former tennis star Martina Navratilova joined the online backlash.
“Is he menstruating?” she writes. “I don’t see why I doubt that.”
According to the World Bank, period poverty is a global problem, with at least 500 million women and girls globally without access to menstrual products and adequate means. for periodic sanitation management, according to the World Bank, with poor health and menstrual hygiene exacerbating inequalities and impeding education, health, safety and human development .
Monica Lennon, a member of the Scottish parliament and a major supporter of the law, said she has spoken about Scotland’s model to non-profits and other governments around the world, and that she hopes the example of Scotland is not overshadowed by the controversy surrounding Mr Grant. She expressed disappointment that such a helpful initiative ended in anger and hostility.
“If we want to tackle stigma and create cultural change to remove embarrassment in stages, then I think we have to take a holistic approach,” she said, adding that issues around stages related to mental health and well-being, but also education and community, and no one is excluded from those conversations.
“I am comfortable about appointing men to these roles,” Ms. Lennon said. “They also have to live up to their responsibilities. “
