Ronelle King: Championing Gender Rights and Youth Advocacy in Barbados

In commemoration of International Women’s Day, Barbados TODAY highlighted women working in various fields – from health to telecoms, from development to politics – as they share their sources of success and triumph over challenges they have encountered. Below is an interview with Ronelle King, Gender Rights Advocate, as she shares her journey.

Gender Rights Advocate Ronelle King may wear many hats, but her heart remains steadfast in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV).

Ronelle’s journey began with a seemingly simple hashtag—#LifeInLeggings—yet it catapulted her from an unknown survivor to an influential advocate and multi-award-winning changemaker. Her accolades include the 2017 Youth Hero Award, the 2019 Queen’s Young Leader Award, the 2022 Future Island Leader Award, and, in 2023, the prestigious Obama Foundation Scholarship at Columbia University.

Like many before her, and some who have followed, her activism was born from personal experience.

As a Black Caribbean woman, I understand firsthand the intersections of gender, race, and culture that shape the realities of GBV in our region. These experiences have instilled a deep empathy and a relentless drive to advocate for survivors.

Understanding the cultural nuances and systemic barriers within the Caribbean has been pivotal in shaping initiatives that are both impactful and culturally resonant,” she told Barbados TODAY in a wide-ranging interview.

In 2017, Ronelle founded Pink Parliament, an initiative designed to empower young women aged 14 to 20 by equipping them with the skills and confidence to pursue political and civic leadership roles. The organisation provides professional training, mentorship, and networking opportunities with established leaders, fostering a new generation of women committed to creating equitable societies.

Ronelle explained that Pink Parliament was created to address the glaring gap in political and leadership spaces, and its participants have gone on to spearhead community projects, advocate for policy reforms, and even step into formal political arenas.

“The impact is clear: when young women are given the tools and opportunities to lead, they do so boldly,” she said.

Over the years, Ronelle has encountered significant challenges—chief among them, resistance from those who deny the severity of GBV, refuse to confront patriarchal norms, or belong to institutions reluctant to embrace change. She acknowledges that navigating the gender justice space requires persistence, education, and the creation of safe spaces for dialogue. Beyond systemic hurdles, there is also the emotional weight of hearing countless survival stories.

“I’ve learned to navigate these challenges by leaning on community, setting boundaries, and reminding myself that every step forward—no matter how small—is progress. Additionally, securing consistent funding for initiatives is an ongoing hurdle. Building partnerships with local and international organisations has been essential in sustaining our programs and expanding our reach.”

Despite the challenges, she remains committed to the cause. A defining moment reinforced this dedication:

Your voice matters, and collective efforts lead to transformative change. Also, take care of yourself. Activism is demanding, and burnout is real. Remember that rest is also resistance,

“A young woman from the diaspora approached me after a speech I had given in the UK. She told me that she followed the movement from inception and because of Life in Leggings, she found the courage to leave an abusive relationship. She had read the stories, connected with survivors, and realised that she wasn’t alone. That moment reminded me that activism isn’t just about large-scale policy changes—it’s about tangible impacts on real people’s lives. It reinforced why we must continue pushing forward, even when the work feels overwhelming.”

To young activists, Ronelle offers practical advice: start where you are. She reminds them that change does not happen overnight and encourages them to identify a cause they are passionate about, educate themselves, and connect with existing organizations or like-minded individuals to amplify their impact.

“Your voice matters, and collective efforts lead to transformative change. Also, take care of yourself. Activism is demanding, and burnout is real. Remember that rest is also resistance,” she emphasized.

So, what does Accelerate Action mean to a young Caribbean leader who has championed GBV awareness both regionally and in the diaspora? It means rejecting “slow, performative change,” holding leaders accountable, and ensuring that policies are actively enforced. It also means keeping survivor voices at the center of solutions.

“I believe that as we champion accelerated action, we must reflect on the true origins of International Women’s Day—a day rooted in over a century of relentless resistance for women’s rights. IWD began as a powerful campaign, driven by working-class women fighting for suffrage, fair labor conditions, and the dignity they deserve. Yet today, its history is often obscured by an overemphasis on symbolic gestures and the corporate purplewashing of the day. Many miss the profound legacy of struggle behind IWD, reducing it to mere marketing or token celebrations.

By reclaiming its original spirit, we not only honor the trailblazers who fought for equality in harsh, real-world conditions—but also remind ourselves that genuine change requires bold, tangible actions. Accelerate Action is about tapping into that legacy, inspiring us to transform commemorative moments into concrete steps toward justice and equality for all women.”

This article appeared in the March 8 International Women’s Day Magazine by Barbados Today. View the magazine here.