Educate Girls Wins Ramon Magsaysay Award: The Story of 2 Million Girls Educated||

Educate Girls: The Indian NGO That Made History with Ramon Magsaysay Award

Historic Achievement: In 2025, 'Educate Girls' became the first Indian non-profit organization to receive the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award, recognized as Asia's equivalent to the Nobel Prize.

The Visionary Founder

The driving force behind this remarkable journey is Safeena Husain, born on January 21, 1971. Her educational path took her from private schools in Delhi to the London School of Economics, where she earned a B.Sc. in Economics and History in 1995.

Her global perspective was shaped through extensive work with community-based development organizations across Latin America, Africa, and South Africa. Witnessing pervasive gender inequality and violence during her travels ignited her determination to create change.

The women's education mission started with Savitri and Fatima, and today reached the mission of Safina Hussain in 2025.

From Vision to Reality

2005: Returned to India and approached the government to identify districts with the highest gender disparity in education

2007: Officially founded 'Educate Girls' NGO, initially self-funded

Initial Challenge: Started with just 50 schools in Rajasthan's Pali and Jalore districts

Safeena began her mission by personally funding the initiative when no other support was available. As results became evident, government confidence grew, leading to expanded permissions and support.

Transformative Impact

2 Million+

Girls Impacted

4 States

Rajasthan, MP, UP, Bihar

30,000+

Villages Reached

23,000+

Volunteers

The organization's 'Team Balika' volunteers work at the grassroots level, visiting homes to identify out-of-school girls, addressing parental concerns, and facilitating their return to education.

Pioneering Initiatives

Development Impact Bond (2015)

Launched the world's first education-focused Development Impact Bond, a results-based financing model that revolutionized educational funding.

Pragati Program

An open schooling initiative that has enabled over 31,500 young women (ages 15-29) to complete their interrupted education and pursue new opportunities.

A Historic Recognition

The 67th Ramon Magsaysay Award ceremony was held on November 7, 2025, at the Metropolitan Theatre in Manila, Philippines. The Educate Girls delegation included field coordinators, girl volunteers, and first-generation learners.

"This award reminds us that when community, governments, local partners, workers, volunteers, and donors come together, the impossible in education can be made possible."
- Gayatri Nair Lobo, CEO of Educate Girls

Looking Ahead

With this historic recognition, Educate Girls has set an ambitious new target: to educate 10 million girls by 2035, continuing its mission to transform lives through education and challenge deep-rooted gender biases in Indian society.

News source:

Dainik Bhasker-Hindi.

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