Human trafficking remains one of the most confronting human rights crises of our time, and Nepal is among the countries deeply affected.
Every year, girls are lured, deceived, or forcibly taken by traffickers who prey on poverty, displacement, and vulnerability. These children are transported across borders into India and beyond, where they face exploitation and abuse.
Rotary Hawthorn is a proud supporter of a remarkable international initiative giving young survivors of human trafficking a pathway to safety, dignity, and independence.
A safe haven
At busy border crossings like the one near Butwal, traffickers operate under the radar. But so do frontline teams who intervene and rescue them before they disappear. It is these young survivors – traumatised, displaced, and often stripped of their educational opportunities – who this project is designed to support.
Every Daughter Matters (EDM), together with Aashish Social Service Nepal (ASSN), operates a Safe Home in Butwal where rescued girls receive protection, counselling, and basic care. Many arrive having missed years of schooling, and without education or employable skills, their vulnerability to exploitation remains high.
Breaking the cycle through education
With the support of a Rotary District Grant and contributions from Rotary clubs across Australia and Nepal – including Brighton North, Chadstone, East Malvern, Port Macquarie, Kathmandu, and Hawthorn – a Computer Training Program is being established to give survivors a route towards independence and long-term security.
A new computer lab with five computers will enable multiple six-month training cycles in digital literacy each year. For girls who have been denied opportunity through exploitation, this effort is a declaration that their lives matter and their futures have value.
The lab will remain a permanent part of the Safe Home, used not only for the first two training cycles but for many years to come. Graduates with strong digital proficiency may even return as peer mentors—creating a cycle of empowerment. This program aligns with Every Daughter Matters’ core mission: stopping trafficking before it starts, supporting recovery, and empowering survivors through education and skills.
Rotary’s global network making local impact
This project reminds us that fighting trafficking is not only about rescue, but also about creating conditions where survivors can rebuild their lives and never again fall into the hands of traffickers.
This project is helping to:
- Prevent re-trafficking by equipping girls with employable skills.
- Restore dignity, confidence, and agency.
- Strengthen local community resilience against trafficking.
This project also reflects Rotary’s values in action:
- Basic education & literacy by providing essential digital skills.
- Community economic development by empowering rescued girls to build sustainable futures.
- International collaboration: A demonstration of Rotary’s global ability to unite for meaningful change.
Our club’s contribution is a reminder that when Rotarians act, lives change.
Stay connected and follow the progress of this life-changing project through Every Daughter Matters:
Website: https://everydaughtermatters.org.au