How Did Educate Girls Become a 2025 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
In a remarkable achievement, Educate Girls has made history by becoming the first Indian NGO to receive the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2025. Founded in Rajasthan, this organization has significantly impacted girls’ education in underserved communities across India.
Key Takeaways
- Educate Girls is the first Indian NGO to receive the Ramon Magsaysay Award.
- Founded in 2007, the organization has transformed girls' education in Rajasthan.
- They launched the world's first Development Impact Bond in education in 2015.
- Over two million girls have been impacted with a retention rate of 90%.
- The award presentation will occur on November 7 in Manila.
New Delhi, Aug 31 (NationPress) An Indian non-profit organisation committed to mobilising community and government resources for girls’ education in rural and underprivileged areas of India has been recognised as a 2025 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee, as announced by the foundation on Sunday.
The Foundation to Educate Girls Globally, commonly referred to as Educate Girls, is the first Indian organisation to be honoured with this esteemed award, which is often regarded as Asia's equivalent of the Nobel Prize.
Founded in 2007 by Safeena Husain, Educate Girls began its journey in Rajasthan.
“Initiating our work in Rajasthan, Educate Girls pinpointed the most needy communities regarding girls’ education, successfully bringing unschooled or out-of-school girls into classrooms, and ensuring they remained there until they secured credentials for higher education and fruitful employment,” stated the official press release from Ramon Magsaysay.
“Education for girls is the closest solution we possess to tackle some of the world's most challenging issues,” remarked Husain, adding that “It represents one of the most effective investments a nation can make, influencing nine of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals, including health, nutrition, and employment.”
“Educate Girls is dedicated to dismantling the cycle of illiteracy and poverty for girls. By expanding our initiatives, reinforcing government collaborations, and integrating community-led strategies, we aspire to create a more promising and equitable future—one girl at a time,” she further mentioned.
Importantly, in 2015, Educate Girls introduced the world’s first Development Impact Bond (DIB) in the education sector, designed to link financial support to achieved results.
“The outcomes were remarkable. What started with fifty pilot village schools expanded to over 30,000 villages across India's most underserved areas, engaging over two million girls, with a retention rate exceeding 90%,” the statement highlighted.
“Organised into Team Balika (Team for the Girl Child), local volunteers went door-to-door to locate out-of-school girls, address parental concerns, and assist with documentation. By the conclusion of the DIB initiative in 2018, Educate Girls had exceeded its overall learning targets by 160% and its total enrollment target by 116%,” it added.
Other recipients of the 2025 award include Shaahina Ali from the Maldives for her environmental contributions and Flaviano Antonio L. Villanueva from the Philippines.
Each laureate will be awarded a medallion, a certificate, and a monetary prize. The 67th Ramon Magsaysay Award presentation is set for November 7 at the Metropolitan Theatre in Manila.
Point of View
I believe that Educate Girls' recognition as a 2025 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee highlights the critical importance of girls' education in India. This accolade not only celebrates their outstanding efforts but also serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in ensuring educational equity. It is essential for more organizations to emulate their impactful model.
NationPress
31/08/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ramon Magsaysay Award?
The Ramon Magsaysay Award is an esteemed recognition given to individuals and organizations in Asia for their impactful contributions in various fields, often regarded as the Asian equivalent of the Nobel Prize.
When was Educate Girls founded?
Educate Girls was established in 2007 in Rajasthan, India.
What is the mission of Educate Girls?
The mission of Educate Girls is to mobilise community and government resources to improve girls' education in rural and educationally disadvantaged areas of India.
What achievements has Educate Girls accomplished?
Educate Girls has successfully enrolled over two million girls and maintained a retention rate exceeding 90%, significantly impacting the educational landscape in underserved regions.
Who are some other recipients of the 2025 Ramon Magsaysay Award?
Other recipients include Shaahina Ali from the Maldives and Flaviano Antonio L. Villanueva from the Philippines.
