Asian Nobel honors Educate Girls (initial NGO in India to receive it)

Ramon Magsaysay Award Honours Educate Girls for Empowering Girls in India

In a historic moment for Educate Girls and for India, the Ramon Magsaysay Award has recognised the organisation's significant contributions towards education and empowering girls. Established in 1957, the award honours leaders and organisations in Asia who have made remarkable strides in social justice, public service, and community development.

Safeena Husain, the founder of Educate Girls, received the prestigious award in 2025. She emphasized that a movement started with a single girl in a remote village can have a global impact. This sentiment resonates with the work of Educate Girls, which was founded in 2007 in the state of Rajasthan.

Educate Girls uses support materials in math and reading to improve academic performance in marginalized communities. The organisation's model involves local volunteers, known as Team Balika. These volunteers identify out-of-school children and sensitise families to the importance of education.

The prize-awarding foundation highlighted Educate Girls' success in freeing girls from illiteracy. Over 90% of the girls who returned to school through the program completed their studies. Moreover, the foundation emphasized Educate Girls' role in empowering girls to reach their full human potential.

School dropout rates in India are linked to domestic work and early marriages. By addressing these issues and providing support for continued education, Educate Girls has managed to send over two million girls to school in nearly 30,000 villages in northern India.

The Ramon Magsaysay Award also recognised Educate Girls' role in challenging cultural stereotypes through education. By promoting education for girls, the organisation has worked to break down barriers and empower these young women to take control of their lives.

Safeena Husain described the award as a "historic moment for Educate Girls and for India." She stated that the award will help to raise awareness about the importance of education for girls and the impact it can have on their lives and their communities.

With the Ramon Magsaysay Award, Educate Girls will continue to work towards its mission of empowering girls and promoting education in India. The organisation's work is a testament to the power of community action and the importance of investing in education for all.