The Latest from Every Daughter Matters
Darren Reynolds, of Every Daughter Matters, presented to Perth Rotary during 2025. He kindly keeps us up-to-date about the progress of this life-saving charity, which is so important to the lives of the young girls being trafficked across the Nepal-India border.
This is the first place of safety for girls rescued from trafficking: an Every Daughter Matters booth at the Nepal-India border.
As mentioned in a previous update, Grace Wong has joined Every Daughter Matters as our new CEO, having previously worked in a leadership role with International Justice Mission. Founder and outgoing CEO Ross Nancarrow is currently serving as the Executive Chairman of the Board until the end of June where he will assume the role as Chairman of the Board. Grace has hit the ground running as we approach the end of the financial year, overseeing a targeted campaign to fund our frontline staff through our Traffic(k) Stoppers Appeal.
Every Daughter Matters has some exciting news with the appointment of a new CEO, Grace Wong. Since founding EDM in 2020, Ross Nancarrow has led the organisation from a bold vision into a growing movement protecting vulnerable women and children in Nepal, but the season has come for Ross to move into the role of Executive Chair of the Board. Grace joins us with extensive experience in anti-trafficking, advocacy and cross-cultural leadership having previously worked in a leadership role at International Justice Mission.
So far this year (as at the end of April), we have documented 472 interceptions at our 13 frontline surveillance booths along Nepal's international border with India. Of these rescues, 459 have been successfully reunited with their families or reintegrated back into their communities. 47 young women have been given longer term accommodation and care in our two safe homes and every successful interception case has been handed over to local law enforcement for further investigation.
So far this year (as at the end of April), we have documented 472 interceptions at our 13 frontline surveillance booths along Nepal's international border with India. Of these rescues, 459 have been successfully reunited with their families or reintegrated back into their communities. 47 young women have been given longer term accommodation and care in our two safe homes and every successful interception case has been handed over to local law enforcement for further investigation.
Bedroom inside a safe home.
During the month of April, a total of 78 people were reached through our follow-up program thanks to our After Care Coordinator with many of the girls expressing that, despite the challenges they face at home and in their communities, they have realised that home is still the safest and most supportive place for them.
An Every Daughter Matters border surveillance team at work.
In late April, during routine border surveillance at a busy border crossing point, field staff noticed a 14-year-old girl acting suspiciously as she was being accompanied across the border. Upon further questioning and investigation, it was revealed that she was carrying false identity documentation and had been held against her will in a Nepali hotel by an older woman. After contacting her family, staff were able to confirm that this girl had been missing for over a month, and she was taken to an emergency shelter where she could safely await her family's arrival. Thanks to information she provided, local law enforcement raided the hotel in question and were able to rescue three additional victims, two minors and a 20-year-old woman. The cases are currently before the district court.
Until our next update from the field,
Darren Reynolds,
Every Daughter Matters