Educate Girls, an Indian non-profit organization, made history by winning the prestigious 2025 Ramon Magsaysay Award for its outstanding work in promoting girls’ education. This award recognizes the dedication of over 55,000 volunteers who have played a crucial role in transforming the education landscape for millions of girls in rural India.
Founded in 2007 by Safeena Husain, Educate Girls has empowered communities across Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar. Their volunteers, known as Team Balika, work at the grassroots level to identify out-of-school girls, enroll them in school, and provide remedial education with a strong focus on retention. The commitment of this network has helped bring more than 2 million girls back to school, creating a significant impact.
The award is dedicated to the volunteers who tirelessly go door-to-door in remote villages, driven by the spirit of “Mera Gaon, Meri Samasya, aur Main hi Samadhan” (My village, my problem, and I am the solution). Educate Girls also pioneered innovative education financing through the world’s first Development Impact Bond, linking investments to measurable outcomes in partnership with the government and communities.
Their efforts have resulted in a school retention rate exceeding 90%, along with initiatives like the Pragati open-schooling program, which supports adolescent girls and young women in continuing their education and gaining life skills. This program alone has helped over 31,500 learners.
Looking ahead, Educate Girls aims to reach 10 million learners over the next decade, continuing its mission to break cycles of poverty and illiteracy through education. The Magsaysay Award celebrates the power of collective action and highlights the importance of community-driven solutions in advancing girls’ education across India.
This recognition not only honors Educate Girls but also shines a light on the transformative impact that dedicated volunteers can have in improving educational equity and opportunities for girls nationwide.
