Dundee man leads fight against period poverty

[PrimAndProperPearlClutcher]

“It’s about making people aware of the availability of period products for anyone of any gender, whenever they need it.

... '“I was chosen as the best person for the job and for me, it’s irrespective of gender.

“Having a guy can’t be a bad thing – it grabs the headlines, but that’s not the reason I was put into post!” Jason continues.

“For me it’s about driving the discussion from a young age so boys and girls are included and there’s no hiding it away because that keeps it as a taboo topic.

“I want to be seen as a positive male role model.”'

www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/3593497/dundee-man-leading-period-poverty-fight-how-to-get-free-products/

I'm interested in this too.
It could turn out to be very expensive. Especially as the Scottish census will have delivered inaccurate details regarding the number of actual women they need to plan services for.

I can't find the post now but someone has said you need to have the app (and so a smartphone - never mind poverty or the occasional parent who stands firm on allowing their children to have a smartphone) and presumably log your period details on the app.

I find this very creepy. Worth remembering - when something is free you are not the customer. What will they do with that data?

And how will they check that only biological women - actual menstruators if you will - use the app and use it honestly?

I can't find any info that suggests you have to put personal details into the app, or indeed that you need it to collect free products.

A mobile app has been launched to allow users to identify locations across Scotland where period products can be accessed for free.
**
The PickupMyPeriod app currently links to over 700 venues in many communities where free products are available – and the number is expected to grow where further local authorities join the app.

PickupMyPeriod directs users to the nearest location where free period products are available based upon either the users GPS location or an entered postcode.
The availability of free period products in public spaces has been increasing owing to various Government Initiatives. PickupMyPeriod directs users to the nearest location where free period products are available based upon either the user's GPS location or an entered postcode. It allows a user to filter on the type of products available, there is information on where the products are located within the building and the type of products available. A second part of the App provides some menstrual health education in the form of flashcards.

presumably log your period details on the app

Oh, goodness. I hope their 'app' allows for erratic periods. Prior to my hysterectomy I once had a period non-stop for four months. It cost me a fortune in products, at a time when I was on a low wage, so a service like this would have been ideal, but not if there's an app which decides when I am menstruating and tells me I can only have 1 week's supply per month.

I can't find the post now but someone has said you need to have the app (and so a smartphone - never mind poverty or the occasional parent who stands firm on allowing their children to have a smartphone) and presumably log your period details on the app.

Hmm.

I'm curious about various aspects of this drive.

1. Why sanpro - what about nappies?
2. What about wastage - how many teenage boys (these will be put in all toilets, remember this is Scotland) are going to chuck this stuff about and waste it? )
3. Who provides the actual products? Are there contracts?

Thank you for the explanation @1blossomtree
That is reassuring. I think I am guilty of making 2+2=5 so apologies all.

It was this tweet that got me thinking.

Of course there still will be substantial data to be harvested from the app.

twitter.com/applepipped/status/1559646043549143040?s=21

The more one thinks about it the more questions arise.

I'm afraid to say I think this will be a massively expensive vanity project. Lovely for women obtaining free period products and especially teenagers. But I do think it will be abused. And of course the product supplies will probably represent quite a small percentage of the overall cost of the scheme. Remember Jason is leader of a team, for one particular area - there are many other council areas across Scotland who will also be rolling out something similar and there will be many other people higher up in management overseeing the whole thing.

Nobody needs to be in period poverty. A mooncup is about £20 and lasts forever

Well anybody like my DD who has ADHD and lives between me and her Dads, would have no chance of hanging onto a £20 moon up for a couple of days, let alone forever.

If they didn't want a male candidate, and had justification for making it a female only post, they should have done this.

Because that worked for the Edinburgh Rape Crisis centre didn't it.

Because he has no experience of having periods and never will.
The job role is directly related to giving women and girls better period dignity, by appointing a man it already strips away a layer of dignity as women and girls may have to engage with a man in order to access their free products and advice.
My DD certainly would
Its like a white person going round schools explaining how black children should deal with racism

There are kids in our school who don't go to school when it's their period because they cant afford sanpro. It would be way at the bottom of their households shopping list. They couldn't afford the initial outlay for expensive items and
Their households often couldn't afford to wash reusable stuff safely and properly. They might not want to use those things- maybe they want the option of a tampon.

Maybe people have no idea how stretched financially people actually are. The whole a mooncup is only £20 is the equivalent of a £4 chicken can feed a family for a month.

As for being abused- how many people do you think would need to be going around getting free tampons just because they can in order to bankrupt the state. That's t just the don't give anyone benefits as the feckless poor will abuse the system argument.

You can decry the optics of putting a man in charge of the project but the project itself does a lot of good and eases some of the pressures on women and their families who are struggling.

as women and girls may have to engage with a man in order to access their free products and advice.

So many people have covered this - please actually read the job spec. This isn't even close to the remit of his position which is in logistics and compliance of the period dignity act @Hoppinggreen

Will they be offering the option of mooncups/period pants for those who want them? That would be a lower cost, more sustainable option in the long term - I appreciate not everyone is able to use them, but I imagine there would be some take up.

And so many people have highlighted the parts of the job description where he talks about engaging with people who have periods
No matter how much he WANTS to understand the issues surrounding periods he just can’t any more than I can fully understand what it’s like to experience racism

I don't think you understand - he doesn't write the job specfication. It can be found online and has been linked on the thread.

"Providing support" to the project team who will engage with the community etc, does not mean he will be speaking to girls/women directly.

I don’t see how poverty means you’re unable to wash things? You don’t need a washing machine. I regularly wash my reusable pads in the sink with a bit of washing up liquid because I can’t justify putting the washer on just for a tiny pad.

@Hoppinggreen

Here it is.

1. To develop and implement a project plan in collaboration with the educational institutions and Local Authorities.

1. To deliver the vision, aspirations and transformations in awareness, engagement, culture and inclusiveness which underpins the Period Product Act.

2. Develop strong, positive working relationships with all members of the Working Group to gather localised information on a regular basis, ready to report and promote. 3. Coordinate marketing campaigns to raise awareness of our regional approach to eradicating period poverty, creating a strong and consistent media presence (social and traditional media) to normalise and make visible. 4. Coordinate the creation of a project landing page, gathering and providing all necessary information relating to the availability and location of products in our communities, associated activities and opportunities and links to nationwide information. 5. Provide support to the project team in identifying, developing and facilitating events and activities that engage our communities and young people, creating opportunities for learning, networking, and accessing free products, (with a particular focus on identifying barriers to access and reducing the stigma around menstruation and period products. 6. Represent the project team on all period poverty arrangements, processes and outcomes related to our regional activity with internal and external partners. 7. Develop and monitor milestones and timelines for the overall project and individual activities. 8. Report on a regular basis to the project team and key partners on progress, developments, and challenges including identification of any shortfall in provision and solutions 9. Work in different environments (both office based and outreach), at times best suited to the community (including some evenings). 10. Other duties as required or as determined through project developments. 11. Ensuring that all tasks are carried out in accordance with the College health and safety policy and procedures to maintain a safe working environment.

This seems massively significant to me. Jason is quite clearly unsuited to the role. Even if he was female, it would still be the case that he didn't have the qualifications for the job, so the obvious question is: what was it about Jason's combination of being the wrong sex, having no relevant qualifications and no appropriate experience that made the recruiters think: Yes, this is the person we want?

If the Katie Baxter connection turns out to be true, then the whole thing stinks to high heaven.

As a white person I believe it's really important to engage all communities and ethnicities in topics like race so that those who experience racism can feel more empowered.

White people should be just as important in the conversation about the impact of racism - or how will anything change??

Nahhhh I'm just shitting with you. It would be fucking ridiculous to have a white BAME Dignity Officer wouldnt it!

Yes- I don't see an issue with him being male per se, but I do if the job wasn't advertised properly and there could have been better candidates.

I don’t see how poverty means you’re unable to wash things? You don’t need a washing machine. I regularly wash my reusable pads in the sink with a bit of washing up liquid because I can’t justify putting the washer on just for a tiny pad.

The school down the road from us have a washing machine and one of the teachers comes in early to do kids cloths. They let the kids use the showers as some don't have any access to hot water. Parents cant afford to heat it. But ya know- wash your reusable fanny pads in cold water because people think you will abuse all the free tampons they are offering. FS.

Jesus fucking Christ.

Ok. 53 with adult sons. Accept I haven’t read the full thread. No longer have periods but did till I crashed through the menopause about 6 years ago.

What I don’t get is why this fundamental matter of fact biological function has to have all the bells and whistles attached to it like this?

If period poverty and access to products needs addressing then get it addressed ….. do we need a hipster woke bro to fight our corner? Really?

I’m all in favour of periods not being taboo, my sons living with adolescent step-sisters and myself and now having girlfriends are well versed in the process and facts and appropriately supportive and sympathetic - so don’t think I don’t want it discussed or gatekeeping to go on - but it seems one another one of those scenarios where a man comes galloping in and trumpeting about things that women have been dealing with against the odds for fucking centuries.

if he really wants to sort shit out for me trusting “people” how about campaign for research into endometriosis and POS and the 101 things that truly impact the menstruating - oh yeah WOMEN.

Sorry, post menopausal rage alert….

As far as I’m concerned he’s not qualified. End of.

I was a bit short there in my reply earlier on. I just get really frustrated that people don't understand what to financially struggle means for some families. The rise in the price of energy will mean so many families having to ration hot water to clean themselves or their clothes. For them and their kids it's just horrible and degrading. These are often families where at least one parent is in work. Free sanpro is just one less thing to have to worry about.

This whole JustaskJason nonsense has detracted from a really good and needed campaign.

So why is there a phot of his talking to a woman and young girl about period products if he isn’t going to be doing that?

'Work in different environments (both office based and outreach), at times best suited to the community (including some evenings).'

'facilitating events and activities that engage our communities and young people'

'This will include engaging with staff, partners, communities and young people'

www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/education/dundee-and-angus-college/jobs/period-dignity-regional-lead-officer-280621

Sounds to me like he is very likely to be speaking directly to girls and women, and this is what was illustrated in the photographs.

Don't be apologetic about being 'short'. The ignorance on here is quite staggering, and the unrecognised privilege.
It is of course scandalous that some households cannot afford or access hot water, in a wealthy country in 2022, but it is nonetheless true.