Introducing the 2016 Queen's Young Leaders: Shamelle Rice

Shamelle Rice is one of the Queen’s Young Leaders Award winners of 2016. She founded Jabez House in Barbados which provides vocational training and entrepreneurial opportunities to female sex workers. Shamelle shares her story about founding Jabez House in Barbados - which provides vocational training and entrepreneurial opportunities to female sex workers - and discusses why equality in society is so important.

In her own words: Shamelle Rice, Queen's Young Leader 2016

After university I worked as a secondary school teacher for four years. However I have always had an overwhelming desire to assist women, particularly those who are vulnerable and disempowered. In Barbados prostitution is illegal and very taboo, but I discovered that women in the sex work community wanted services and programmes that catered specifically to them as they transitioned out of the work.

Three years ago I founded Jabez House, which provides vocational training and entrepreneurial opportunities to female sex workers in a safe, non-judgmental environment. More than 50 women have gone through the programme and we have worked with another 300 sex workers during our weekly outreach programme. In 2014, I also started a weekly mentorship programme at the juvenile detention facility for girls, to provide them with a support system when they leave.

[facebook]https://www.facebook.com/jabezhousebarbados/videos/537165209780000/[/fa…]

It is important that women are treated equally in society, because they play a vital role in shaping the history of nations. In Barbados a large majority of households are headed by a female, so equality is vital.

Being chosen as a Queen's Young Leaders Award winner means that I will have the opportunity for unique training and learning experiences, which will help me to assist more women in my community

It is also essential that young women and girls learn to get involved in their communities, because they have so much to offer and share with others. Playing a role in their community is an avenue to start the ‘give back’ to society and to make their mark.

Being chosen as a Queen's Young Leaders Award winner means that I will have the opportunity for unique training and learning experiences, which will help me to assist more women in my community.

The Queen’s Young Leader Award recognises and celebrates exceptional people aged 18-29 from across the Commonwealth, who are taking the lead in their communities and using their skills to transform lives. Winners of this prestigious Award will receive a unique package of training, mentoring and networking, including a one-week residential programme in the UK during which they will collect their Award from Her Majesty The Queen. Find out more on The Queen's Young Leaders' website.

Feature

The Queen's Young Leaders

The Queen’s Young Leader Award celebrates exceptional people from across the Commonwealth
Feature

Queen's Young Leaders stories: Tanyaradzwa Daringo

Read the story of Tanyaradzwa, from Namibia

Related content

A speech by The Duchess of Cambridge at SportsAid's 40th anniversary dinner

The brilliance of SportsAid is in really understanding just how much athletic competition gives to our country as a whole.

09 June 2016
Feature

Receiving my Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Award at Buckingham Palace

Shannon's story of her day out to receive her Gold DofE Award at Buckingham Palace
Feature

How The Duke of Edinburgh's Award changed my life

Jon's transformation from a young man in prison to one with a stable future...

The Duke of Cambridge's speech at the Weston Library, Oxford

As the foundation stone above the entrance to the original Bodleian says: ‘quod feliciter vortat’: ‘may it go well'

11 May 2016

A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at Blavatnik School of Government

I wish the current students, faculty and staff of the School the very best as they work in this remarkable new building

11 May 2016

Prince Harry's speech at the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup, Florida

We are confident that, in partnership with others and by maximising our use of the new centre, we will provide 1 million hours of support to children and young people living...

04 May 2016
Press release 28 April 2016

The Duke of Cambridge launches Cyberbullying Taskforce

Read more

A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the The Queen's Birthday Reception at the British High Commision, India

This is the first time Catherine and I have been to India and we have been incredibly impressed to see just how much this great country is on the move, and how India’s...

11 April 2016

A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the Arrival Reception in Mumbai, India

No-one can come here without being awed and amazed; no-one can come without a sense of excitement about all that India has achieved in the past and the extraordinary promise...

10 April 2016
Press release 23 March 2016

Prince Harry and Team Rubicon

Read more

A speech by Prince Harry at the Girl Summit, Kathmandu

But the biggest reason for our optimism is the inspiring girls and boys in this room who care so much about changing attitudes towards young women in this country.

23 March 2016

A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce declaration signing

Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you so much for joining us here at Buckingham Palace for the signing of this declaration. Lord Hague, on behalf of everyone here, can I say a huge...

15 March 2016
News

Commonwealth Day 2016

15 March 2016

The Queen's Commonwealth Day message, 14 March 2016

Being inclusive and accepting diversity goes far deeper than accepting differences at face value and being tolerant.

14 March 2016
Press release 08 March 2016

Details announced of Prince Harry's Tour of Nepal

Read more
Feature

Sentebale

Sentebale was co-founded by Prince Harry to help vulnerable children in Lesotho