The decision of the local Scottish authority to appoint a man as its first “period dignity officer” has been a target of great backlash since this Wednesday, whereas former tennis star Martina Navratilova called the decision “ridiculous”. The Tayside Council chose Jason Grant from the city of Dundee north of Edinburgh to promote access to free sanitary products in schools and colleges across the region. The role 

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 position is the first of its kind in Scotland, and Grant must also talk about menopause-related topics in it. 18-time grand slam winner, Navratilova wrote on Twitter “This is just f****** ridiculous,” in response to the appointment. “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 was appointed two days after Scotland received praise from around the world for becoming the first nation to put a statute protecting the right to free sanitary goods into effect. Councils and educational institutions are required by law to distribute free supplies to individuals in need, per the Period Products Act. Gina Davidson, the Scotland political editor for radio station LBC, called Grant's appointment to the position "the essence of mansplaining."

Her remarks came after his public relations team published a picture of Grant discussing period products with a mother and her daughter. 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 the 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.

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