The Dinah Project

The Dinah Project is a web-based, healthy sexuality initative, providing unique information to women and men on their bodies, their sexuality and the way it affects their lives. Founded and run by women, it is informed by a principal of relearning to understand sexual behavior and sexual function from a female perspective.

Background

The Dinah Project was founded in Britain in 2006 and the website was launched in early 2007. It is managed and administered by female sex educators, public health practitioners, health care providers and sexuality buffs. The organization has participated in allied causes such as World AIDS Day, International Women's Day and various causes related to public health and the environment.

Internationalization of Sexual Education

Whereas sex and sexuality, in their many forms, are intrinsically human, the discussion of sex is generally limited by religious, cultural and political ideologies. Inadequate sexuality education is often exacerbated by porn which is used as a sex education resource [William Fisher & Azy Barak, "Sex Education as a Corrective: Immunizing Against Possible Effects of Pornography," in Zillmann & Bryant, supra n. 16, pp. 289-362.] , in the absence of more accurate and representative material.

The Dinah Project positioned itself as a resource for women and men across the globe, thereby offering non-offensive, high-quality information in language that is accessible to even basic English readers.

It has covered issues of reproductive health that are particular to remote or specific communities, such as Female Genital Mutilation and Sex Trafficking, with the hope that related human rights abuses can be decreased if international attention is brought to them.

"We Play Green"

The "We Play Green" initiative was conceptualized to increase awareness of environmental issues related to sexual behaviour. The idea of “We Play Green” considers safe sex to be an environmental priority because avoidance of sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancy reduce the need for medication and medical precedures and maintain healthier communities.

There is a common misnomer that latex condoms are a burden on the environment because they cannot be recycled and fill up landfills, but latex is actually degradable, especially if disposed of correctly [Riedl R. Pro Familia Magazin, 1999; Vol. 27(4):32.] .

The project informs consumers on the emerging issue of healthy choices in sex toys. Substances such as PVC and Phthalates [Greenpeace Netherlands, September 2006] are commonly included in the plastics of sexual and medical devices and although there is not yet definitive evident of their damage to humans, findings from animal experiments indicate carcinogenic effects [Green, Kenneth. Phthalates and Human Health: Demystifying the Risks of Plastic-softening Chemicals. Plain English Guide No. 2 , July 2000] . Until safe industry standards are set, similar to the standards set for childrens' toys and cosmetics, The Dinah Project encourages consumer information on the health consequences of their choices.

The Dinah Project offers health and environmental information on all sex products in its objective product review section and marks all chemically- and environmentally friendly products with “We Play Green” seals.

References

External links

* [http://www.dinahproject.com/default.asp Official Dinah Project]
* [http://www.internationalwomensday.com/ International Women's Day]
* [http://www.dinahproject.com/articles_view_details.asp?id=180 "We Play Green" Manifesto]
* [http://www.who.int/topics/sexual_health/en/ World Health Organization, Sexual Health]