People are bemused and outraged that one of Scotland’s newly-appointed ‘period dignity officers’ is a man.

Critics say the role in Scotland should have been given to a woman – branding the move ‘f***ing ridiculous’.

Instead Jason Grant, from Dundee, will be promoting access to free sanitary products in schools and colleges across the Tay region. He believes being a man could ‘help’ in the new job.

It will also involve him discussing the menopause – but has been dismissed as ‘the epitome of mansplaining’.

Former Wimbledon champion Martina Navratilova argued that choosing Mr Grant for the role is ‘f***ing ridiculous’.

‘Have we (women) ever tried to explain to men how to shave or how to take care of their prostate or whatever?’, the tennis legend asked.

‘This is absurd.’

The announcement comes as Scotland becomes the first country in the world to introduce a law to widen access to free sanitary products.

Mr Grant will become the country’s first Period Dignity Regional Lead Officer, the first role of its kind in the country.

LBC’s Gina Davidson blasted the move as ‘the epitome of mansplaining’.

Commenting on a photo sent out by Mr Grant’s PR team, Grainger Public Relations, which had a photo of the former personal trainer pictured with a woman and daughter, talking about period products.

Susan Dalgety, a newspaper columnist and women’s rights campaigner, added on Twitter: ‘I have no idea why anyone thought it was a good idea to appoint a bloke.’

But Mr Grant, who was not available to be interviewed, claimed in an earlier statement announcing his new job role: ‘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 continued: ‘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.’

The original job advert claimed the suitable candidate needed a ‘successful track record of engaging and empowering a large range of people from a diverse range of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, in particular young people who menstruate’.

A spokesperson for the Period Dignity Working Group defended the move, saying Mr Grant was the strongest candidate, adding: ‘This new role, funded by the Scottish Government, was created to promote and implement new legislation, specifically focused on project management.

‘The role builds on some fantastic work which has been gathering speed across the Tay region for several years, led by a passionate group of people of all genders, ages and backgrounds.

‘By changing the culture, encouraging debate and removing the stigma around periods, we look forward to supporting the delivery of this important work across the region.’

According to Grainger PR, Mr Grant will be working with the period dignity working group, which has representatives of Dundee and Angus College, Perth College, Angus Council and Dundee City Council.

Scottish feminist and blogger Claire Heuchan, tweeted: ‘Beyond satire. “Jason comes to the role with varied background and experience.” Except the “experience” of having menstruated. It is impossible to destigmatise periods whilst disregarding women’s knowledge of our own bodies.’

The SNP’s Westminster leader, Ian Blackford, said a woman would have been a better choice for the role.

‘I think it’s important that we get the policy right, I think it’s important that we implement it and I would have thought, as a principle, it would be far better that women are in these posts than anyone else,’ the MP told Sky News.

‘At the end of the day, I think there should be a priority of having women in place in these posts.’

The Scottish Government’s Period Products Act means that councils and places of education must make items, such as tampons, free to people who need them.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said it did not have any involvement in appointing people to the posts.

They added: ‘Some local authorities are appointing staff to ensure they are complying with their new duties and making free products in line with the Act, ensuring there is information available on where to access the products, and also tackling issues such as the stigma that still surrounds accessing period products.’

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