Alumni Award Finalist

Vanessa Ho

Executive Director, Project X

Singapore, Singapore
Cohort: Common Purpose, Singapore, 2018

Vanessa Ho is the Executive Director of Project X, the only rights-based sex worker organization in Singapore that provides social, legal, and emotional support for sex workers. This is a full time position that she has held since 2011, and one that has provided her many opportunities to meet and connect with sex workers in Singapore and around the world. She has written and spoken about sex work, human trafficking, rape culture, and LGBTQ rights in Singapore. Prior to joining Project X, Vanessa was an active volunteer with Sayoni, a queer women's rights group; and HOME, a migrant workers' rights group. In recognition of her work, she was given the Young Activist Award by the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) in 2014. She continues to be a vocal ally to various other human rights issues and is a strong believer in building solidarity amongst various marginalised groups. Vanessa holds the view 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 master's degree in Gender, Society, and Representation from University College London; and a bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Warwick.