Sex Work in ASEAN: Brunei Darussalam

Preface This is the ninth post in Project X’s new series Sex Work in ASEAN Nations – a series designed to encourage greater understanding of and dispel common myths about sex work in the region. This series will consider the state of the sex industry and sex workers’ rights in each of the 10 ASEAN […]

Sex Work in ASEAN: Cambodia

Preface  As part of our series ‘Sex Work in ASEAN Countries’, this article will explicate the sex work industry and the rights of sex workers in Cambodia. It will also touch on the history and economic impact of sex work, sex work statistics, sex work in Cambodia’s cultural context, and finally, the future of the […]

Film Review: Mee Pok Man (1995) by Eric Khoo

    Mee Pok Man (The Legacy That Needs to End Now) CW: Sex, Necrophilia, Death, Corpses, Some Physical Violence and MASSIVE SPOILERS Eric Khoo’s Mee Pok Man is widely heralded to be the spark for Singapore’s revival in filmmaking.  It has garnered foreign acclaim for showing a grittier side of Singapore, often conveniently censored. […]

Sex Work in ASEAN: Myanmar

Preface  Our latest addition to the ‘Sex Work in ASEAN Countries’ series, this post will expound upon the state of the sex industry and sex workers’ rights in Myanmar (formally Burma). It will also touch on the history and economic impact of sex work, sex work statistics, sex work in Myanmar’s cultural context, and finally, […]

Film Review: A Yellow Bird (2016) by K Rajagopal

CW: Sex, Coercion and Sexual Assault, Some Physical Violence  A Yellow Bird (2016) is a searingly realistic portrayal of how it feels to live on the fringes of society. The film follows Siva Sudhakar, a Singaporean man who has just been released from prison. Depicted as an anti-hero, he is reactive and relentless in his […]

Sex Work in ASEAN Countries: Laos

Preface  Our latest addition to the Sex Work in ASEAN Countries series, this post will expound upon the state of the sex industry and sex workers’ rights in Laos. It will also touch on the history and economic impact of sex work, sex work statistics, sex work in Laos’ cultural context, and finally, the future […]

Sex Work in ASEAN: Singapore

Preface  This is the fifth post in Project X’s new series ‘Sex work in ASEAN nations’ – a series designed to encourage greater understanding of, and dispel common myths about, sex work in the region. This series will consider the state of the sex industry and sex workers rights in each of the 10 ASEAN […]

Film Review: Pleasure Factory (2007) by Ekachai Uekrongtham

Trigger Warning: Graphic depictions of abuse and non-consensual sexual acts    An official selection for the Un Certain Regard competition at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival, Pleasure Factory depicts three different stories that take place throughout the same night at Singapore’s infamous red light district Geylang.  Whether it’s a young NS man looking to lose […]

Sex Work in ASEAN: Vietnam

Preface: This is the fourth post in Project X’s new series ‘Sex work in ASEAN nations’ – a series designed to encourage greater understanding of, and dispel common myths about, sex work in the region. This series will consider the state of the sex industry and sex workers rights in each of the 10 ASEAN […]

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Vanessa Ho

Executive Director | [email protected]

Executive Director
[email protected]

Vanessa has been full-time with Project X since 2011, and as a result, has had many opportunities to meet and connect with sex workers in Singapore and around the world. Under her leadership, the organisation has grown from a small group of volunteers to one where there are three paid staff and a team of over 60 volunteers. Correspondingly, she has increased the annual operating budget of the organization five times, and is now recognized as the leading organization that empowers and assists women in the sex industry.

Vanessa has written and spoken extensively about sex work, human trafficking, rape culture, and LGBTQ rights in Singapore. She believes that if people can speak about sex, gender and sexuality in open and in non-judgmental ways, society will become a safer place for everyone.

Vanessa holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of Warwick, and a Masters Degree in Gender, Society and Representation from University College London.