Educate Girls Wins 2025 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Education Impact

Educate Girls, a prominent non-profit organization based in India, has been awarded the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award for 2025. This marks a significant milestone as it is the first Indian organization to receive this honor. The award recognizes Educate Girls for its innovative, community-driven approach that has successfully brought over 2 million girls back to school and empowered them through education.

Founded in 2007, Educate Girls aims to break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy by focusing on girls’ education. The organization mobilizes a network of over 55,000 volunteers across 30,000 villages in India, aligning its efforts with government initiatives to ensure educational access for the most vulnerable populations. As part of its mission, Educate Girls supports more than 2.4 million children with remedial learning programs.

Celebrating a Historic Achievement

The recognition from the Ramon Magsaysay Award underscores the organization’s commitment to dismantling cultural stereotypes surrounding girls’ education. According to the award’s organizers, Educate Girls has played a vital role in “liberating girls from the bondage of illiteracy” and equipping them with the skills and confidence necessary to realize their full potential.

In reflecting on this achievement, Safeena Husain, the founder of Educate Girls, stated, “Being the first Indian nonprofit to receive the Ramon Magsaysay Award is a historic moment for Educate Girls and for the country. This recognition places a global spotlight on India’s people-powered movement for girls’ education.” Husain emphasized that the award honors not just the organization but also the millions of girls who have reclaimed their right to education.

Future Goals and Global Impact

The organization’s leadership expresses a commitment to expanding its reach, with a goal to educate 10 million learners in the next decade. Gayatri Nair Lobo, the CEO of Educate Girls, added that this recognition serves as a tribute to what can be accomplished when various stakeholders, including governments and communities, collaborate to dismantle barriers to education. She highlighted the organization’s dedication to creating systemic change through partnerships, ensuring that every girl has access to education.

The 2025 Ramon Magsaysay Award will also honor other notable individuals, including Shaahina Ali from the Maldives, recognized for her efforts in combating plastic pollution, and Fr. Flaviano Antonio L. Villanueva from the Philippines, who has worked to restore dignity to the homeless in Manila. The formal presentation of the awards will take place on November 7, 2025, at the Metropolitan Theatre in Manila, Philippines.

With this accolade, Educate Girls not only enhances its reputation but also amplifies the global conversation about the importance of investing in girls’ education as a pathway to social and economic progress. The award serves as a reminder of the transformative power of education and the profound impact it can have on individuals and communities alike.