On August 31, 2025, Educate Girls, a leading Indian organization, clinched the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award, Asia’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize, for its remarkable work in revolutionizing girls’ education in rural India.
About Educate Girls
- Founded in 2007 by Safeena Husain
- Transforming educational landscape for out-of-school girls in remote Indian regions
- Enrolled and retained over 2 million girls
- Expanded to 30,000+ villages across India
- School retention rate exceeding 90%
Innovation: Development Impact Bond
- Pioneered world’s first Development Impact Bond in education
- Linked investor funds to measurable educational outcomes
- Catalyzed scalable interventions in India’s rural education sector
Pragati: Empowering Young Women
- Launched open-schooling program for learners aged 15–29
- Supports over 31,500 learners
- Helps young women access better life opportunities
Why Educate Girls Won
- Recognized for addressing cultural stereotyping through girls’ education
- Liberating girls from illiteracy and empowering them
- Infusing them with skills, courage, and agency
Ramon Magsaysay Award: Origins and Prestige
- Established in 1957 by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and the Philippine government
- Celebrates exemplary leadership, integrity, and public service
- More than 300 individuals and organizations honored
Key Takeaways for Competitive Exams
- Educate Girls wins 2025 Ramon Magsaysay Award for transforming girls’ education in rural India
- Impact at scale with over 2 million girls enrolled and retained
- Pioneered Development Impact Bond in education for measurable outcomes
- Pragati program empowers young women aged 15-29 for better opportunities
- Ramon Magsaysay Award celebrates leadership and public service in Asia
