There’s been widespread outrage over the decision to appoint a male to the role of period dignity officer in Tayside.
And although I am a man, this is an issue close to my heart.
As head of a national charity in Scotland in 2016, I started to work closely on this with Scottish Labour MSP Monica Lennon.
Monica and I were two of the early cheerleaders campaigning back then for the cost-free provision of sanitary items for women and girls on low or restricted incomes.
Over a decade ago, when I was managing Dundee Foodbank, I encountered several women and girls who were supplementing the use of sanitary items with towels and toilet paper.
I even met one lady who clearly felt safe enough to inform me, when I delivered food to her home, that she was using newspaper.
I promptly drove to the Asda store a quarter of a mile from her home and drove back with a healthy supply of sanitary items to ensure she was stocked up.
My attempts to bring dignity to period poverty debate
Over the last six years, I was called upon by various UK media outlets to comment on the issue.
I spoke privately to women and girls experiencing what is now known as “period poverty” who sought to remain anonymous.
On one occasion, when BBC cameras came to Dundee Foodbank, I introduced the presenters to three women – two of whom had just arrived for food – who were willing to speak about period poverty only if their faces were blurred.
The concept of dignity was at the forefront of their minds.
This week, as legislation passed in the Scottish Parliament in 2020 came into effect, I spoke to Kaye Adams on BBC Radio Scotland about the process we have gone through to arrive at this place.
I told Kaye: “I am a bloke, I didn’t really want to be talking about this and I think it would be great to amplify the voices of women, particularly women on low or restricted incomes.”
In short, I feel my work here is done.
And this is precisely my point when it comes to Jason Grant’s appointment as period dignity officer.
Has the time not come for men like me to stand aside?
Time to raise up women’s voices
I stood in the gap when women told me they did not want to speak publicly, despite having zero experience of what it is to menstruate or gestate.
And while Jason Grant has as much right as anyone to apply for the role, I was surprised by his appointment.
I could possibly grasp the rationale for a male period dignity officer performing an administrative function, like overseeing the provision of sanitary items.
But this is not what the job entails.
‘F***ing ridiculous’: Tennis legend Martina Navratilova blasts male Tayside period dignity officer… https://t.co/3fwt8as1Hk via @thecourieruk
— David Clegg (@davieclegg) August 15, 2022
The job description specifies an “outreach and community based” role.
In other words, this man could be talking to our young female relatives in school about an experience he will never know.
The last few years tell me the taboo around periods is on its way out.
I’m glad that is the case.
And I think it is time for men to get out of the road too.
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