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/

He isn't "fronting the project" - if he was then I'd be entirely in agreement. He's the project manager.

The optics of that interview have been terrible though.

If he's not fronting it, someone should maybe tell him?

“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. We’ll also raise awareness of the menopause, which, although a natural process for women, has wider repercussions in the world of work and family. It’s time to normalise these topics and get real around the subject. I believe I can make progress by proving this isn’t just a female topic, encouraging conversations across all genders and educating and engaging new audiences.”

www.graingerpr.co.uk/newsroom/dundee-man-leads-scotland-in-role-to-end-period-poverty/

I see they say that employing Jason was a no-brainer.

Mmm.

I can well imagine no brain being used in this process.

But again, imagine being the women who applied for the job, reading that.

If the role was about educating men and boys about period and the menopause, I could almost see the point of employing Jason, almost.

But this is a 'period dignity officer' surely the role should be focused on the dignity of the girls and women having the periods?

Tried to say something constructive that hasn’t been said already but I’m just gob-smacked

But this is a 'period dignity officer' surely the role should be focused on the dignity of the girls and women having the periods?

Yes. Given that the response so far of most women seems to have been 'what the actual fuck how dare they' I am not getting the feeling Jason's appointment is winning hearts and minds.

I wonder how many times Jason has woken up with his clothes and sheets covered in blood?

I wonder how many times he has had to cancel something because of crippling period cramps?

I wonder how many times he has agonised over his period coming/not coming/changing cycle/looking odd???

How wonder how many times he’s cried/ranted/floored with anxiety due to horrendous PMT?

I could go on….

Answers on a postcard

Why does he need lived experience for this specific role though? Should the entire Period Dignity Partnership be staffed by women only?

Women certainly need to be in certain roles, but I'm not sure why all the staff in logistics/compliance/management would need to be.

Projects tackling racism, disability, neurodiversity etc will all have staff members who aren't of the minority or opressed group working for them.

@leafyygreens if I went for a job promoting say black women in the arts I would not have the audacity to suggest that as a white women I have brought diversity. He’s suggested that as being a man he brings diversity to the role.

He really does not.

I've never (mercifully) suffered from PMT, never cancelled an event because of crippling cramps... does that mean I couldn't have fulfilled that role (if I had appropriate skills etc etc)?

Where does the line go, I'm unsure?

Oh, give over. I'm sure you know why women who have had few/no periods in their life time, still have empathy with other women and girls that men will never have.

Yes - the statement (that the partnership either wrote for him or signed off on) was a car crash.

I do wonder how much the media have deliberately mangled it, but it's been terrible for optics.

However, these aren't arguments against a man having this role.

Er I didn't say I'd had few periods?

I was just meaning that it's a point for discussion.

I never said that you did.

The batshit crazy photo opportunity showed that he has no concept of how cringey that situation would be for a girl if it was a real situation.

I would have no confidence in the team being able to deal with women and girls dignity, and would avoid them like the plague.

@JanglyBeads what is his experience of periods then?

I would never suggest that my experience of periods is the same as any other woman. But I have a better understanding of other womens experiences than a man can ever.

Again let’s shift that to another ‘topic’.

Im going to promote services for those people who a blind, because you know I can close my eyes.

Of course all people who are blind/partially sighted don’t have the same experience but as a person who has 20/20 vision I would not insult anyone to suggest I can really ‘get’ their experience. Yes I can emphasise, and that’s helpful. But my sight privilege gives me absolutely no understanding of the daily discrimination/ableism that those with blindness/partial sightness face.

I am all in favour of men and women getting on board with this; similarly with feminism, which many men support. What I can't cope with is this: It’s about making people aware of the availability of period products for anyone of any gender, whenever they need it. People of the male gender never need period products - lucky sods.

Yep gender means fuck all when it comes to periods. It’s that pesky biology getting in the way.

Pesky biology.

What the hell is the beardy man doing there anyway.

To repeat a point that others have made, many girls from minority ethnicities/ religions will never speak to men about intimate issues. It’s the height of cultural arrogance to assume they all will just because educated white western women will. So again the luxury belief “I would so it’s fine” comes into play.

😆He doesn’t work for the college, his position is being hosted there. It’s as I said in my post to you. I suppose you don’t understand that or the fact what you quoted about who’s not a civil servant doesn’t even mention positions funded by councils.

Oh, and civil service is part of the public sector 😂😂😂