A Landmark Moment for indian Social Impact
In a historic achievement, Foundation to Educate Girls Globally, popularly known as ‘Educate Girls’, has become the first indian non-profit organisation (NPO) to win the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award, often regarded as Asia’s Nobel Prize.
The award citation by the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) lauded Educate Girls for its commitment to breaking cultural stereotypes and empowering girls through education, giving them “skills, courage, and agency to achieve their full human potential.”
Journey of Educate Girls
Founded in 2007 by Safeena Husain, an alumna of the London School of Economics, the NGO began its work in Rajasthan, focusing on enrolling out-of-school girls and ensuring they stayed in classrooms until they completed formal education.
Key milestones:
Launched the world’s first Development Impact Bond (DIB) in education in 2015.
Expanded operations to 30,000+ villages, reaching over 2 million girls.
Maintains a retention rate of over 90% across its programs.
Founder Safeena Husain Reacts
Calling it a “historic moment”, Safeena Husain said:
“This recognition places a global spotlight on India's people-powered movement for girls' education, one that began with a single girl in the remotest village and grew to reshape entire communities, challenging traditions and shifting mindsets.”
Other 2025 Awardees
Flaviano Antonio L. Villanueva (Philippines): A priest who opposed extrajudicial killings and helped provide dignified burials for victims.
Shaahina Ali (Maldives): A diver who led large-scale clean-up drives to combat plastic pollution in her island nation.
Award Ceremony
The 67th Ramon Magsaysay Award Presentation Ceremonies will be held on November 7, 2025, at the Metropolitan Theatre in Manila, where winners will receive a medallion, certificate, and cash prize.
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