Educate Girls Wins Ramon Magsaysay Award 2025 for Transforming Education in India

Educate Girls Receives Prestigious Award

The non-profit organization Educate Girls has been awarded the esteemed Ramon Magsaysay Award 2025, often referred to as Asia's Nobel Prize. This recognition was bestowed upon them for their remarkable efforts in enhancing the education of millions of underprivileged girls, transforming their initiative into a widespread movement supported by local communities. The organization dedicated this accolade to its 55,000 volunteers from Team Girl.

Impact on Education and Community

Founded in 2007, Educate Girls has made significant strides at the grassroots level to combat the cycles of poverty and illiteracy. With the help of over 55,000 community volunteers and youth mentors, they have successfully enrolled more than 2 million girls in schools. This achievement illustrates how education can become a collective movement through community involvement. The Ramon Magsaysay Award specifically recognized Educate Girls for challenging societal norms, liberating girls from illiteracy, and fostering skills, confidence, and independence among them.

A Tribute to Inspiring Girls

Upon receiving the award, Founder Safina Hussain expressed, "This honor is dedicated to the girls who inspire us daily with their resilience and determination. These girls study late into the night while managing household responsibilities to create a brighter future for themselves and their families." She emphasized that this recognition also belongs to the parents, educators, and the 55,000 Team Balika volunteers who support these girls.

Future Aspirations

Following this prestigious recognition, Educate Girls is setting its sights on a new goal: reaching 10 million learners by 2035. The CEO, Gayatri Nair Lobo, highlighted that many girls are still awaiting educational opportunities, and the organization is committed to ensuring they do not have to wait any longer. The event was particularly emotional for the organization, as Team Balika volunteers and learners, many of whom were traveling internationally for the first time, attended the ceremony in Manila.