In a historic moment for india, Educate Girls, a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting girls’ education, has become the first indian organisation to receive the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award, often called the Asian Nobel Prize.
1. About the Ramon Magsaysay Award
Established to recognise selfless service and greatness of spirit in Asia, the award highlights initiatives that make a positive social impact.
Winners receive a medallion, certificate, and cash prize, with the presentation ceremony scheduled for November 7 in Manila.
Past recipients have included individuals and organisations contributing to human rights, education, and social justice.
Educate Girls’ recognition places it on the global stage as a model for transformative social change.
2. Who Is Educate Girls?
Founded in 2007 by Safeena Husain, Educate Girls addresses female illiteracy and gender inequality in education.
Husain, a London School of economics graduate, returned to india to make a tangible difference in rural communities.
Starting in Rajasthan, the organisation has expanded to underserved regions across India, impacting over two million girls.
The non-profit boasts a retention rate of over 90%, reflecting its effective and sustainable interventions.
3. Core Mission: Empowering Girls Through Education
The Ramon Magsaysay Award was granted for Educate Girls’ commitment to breaking cultural stereotyping and promoting girls’ education.
The organisation focuses on liberating girls from illiteracy.
Provides them with skills, confidence, and agency to achieve their full potential.
Husain emphasises that educating one girl multiplies change, influencing families, communities, and future generations.
Initiatives are designed to reshape mindsets, challenge traditions, and create long-term social impact.
4. Innovative Programs and Achievements
Educate Girls is known for pioneering initiatives:
Development Impact Bond: The world’s first results-based financing model in education.
Pragati Program: An open-schooling initiative enabling young women to continue learning outside formal schools.
Community Mobilisation: Leveraging volunteers to identify out-of-school girls and encourage enrollment.
These initiatives have redefined how non-profits tackle female illiteracy in India.
5. Safeena Husain’s Reflection on the Award
Husain called the recognition a historic moment for both Educate Girls and India:
"Being the first indian non-profit to receive the Ramon Magsaysay Award is a historic moment… This recognition places a global spotlight on India’s people-powered movement for girls’ education."
She highlighted the organisation’s ambition to reach 10 million learners in the next decade, scaling impact across the nation and potentially beyond.
6. Other Ramon Magsaysay Award Winners in 2025
Educate Girls shares the award with other remarkable individuals:
Rev. Flaviano Antonio Villanueva (Philippines): Advocated against illegal drug violence and ensured dignified funerals for victims.
Shaahina Ali (Maldives): Led efforts to combat plastic pollution through large-scale cleanups and recycling initiatives.
This diverse group underscores the award’s focus on courage, innovation, and societal impact across Asia.
7. Impact and Legacy
Since its inception, Educate Girls has:
Reached over two million girls with quality education programs.
Achieved a retention rate of 90%, demonstrating sustainable success.
Pioneered global-first models in education financing and open schooling.
The award highlights the power of grassroots, people-driven movements in creating lasting social change.
8. Conclusion: A Global Spotlight on Girls’ Education
Educate Girls’ recognition as the first indian organisation to win the Ramon Magsaysay Award is a testament to the transformative potential of education and female empowerment.
By focusing on skills, courage, and agency, the organisation is not just teaching girls to read—it’s equipping them to reshape communities and inspire future generations.
Safeena Husain and her team have set a global benchmark for non-profits, demonstrating how one organisation can multiply impact across millions of lives..jpg)
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