NGO Educate Girls, founded in 2007 by Safeena Husain, has become the first Indian organisation to win the 2025 Ramon Magsaysay Award, often called the “Asia’s Nobel Prize”. The award recognises its grassroots work in addressing cultural stereotypes, reducing illiteracy, and empowering girls through education and skills. The award will be presented on 7 November 2025 at the Metropolitan Theatre, Manila (Philippines).
Key Highlights
- Award Recognition: Educate Girls honoured for empowering girls and young women, breaking barriers of illiteracy and poverty.
- Historic First: First Indian organisation to win this award (earlier only individuals from India had won).
- Founded: 2007, by Safeena Husain in Rajasthan.
- Motto: “One girl at a time” – focus on community mobilisation, government partnerships, and ensuring retention of girls in schools.
- Other 2025 Winners:
- Shaahina Ali (Maldives) – humanitarian work.
- Flaviano Antonio L Villanueva (Philippines) – public service.
- Past Indian Winners:
- Arvind Kejriwal (2015, governance & transparency)
- Ravish Kumar (2019, journalism)
- Bezwada Wilson (2016, social justice)
- Sonam Wangchuk (2018, environment & innovation)
- Award Details: Each recipient gets a medallion, a certificate, and a cash prize.
Ramon Magsaysay Award
- Established: 1957 by Rockefeller Brothers Fund (USA) & Philippine Government.
- First Awarded: 1958.
- Purpose: Recognises “greatness of spirit” and transformative leadership in Asia.
- Presentation Date: Annually on August 31 (birth anniversary of Ramon Magsaysay).
- Presentation Ceremony: November every year in Manila, Philippines.
- Total Recipients: Over 300 individuals/organisations across Asia.
About Ramon Magsaysay
- Full Name: Ramon del Fierro Magsaysay.
- Born: August 31, 1907 (Philippines).
- Background: Son of a blacksmith and teacher; worked as an automobile mechanic.
- Role in WWII: Guerrilla leader during Japanese occupation of Philippines (Pacific War, 1941–45).
- Political Career:
- Congressman (1946–1950).
- Secretary of National Defence (1950).
- President of Philippines (1953–1957).
- Death: March 17, 1957, in an air crash.
Key Facts
- Educate Girls HQ: Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- Rajasthan Context: The NGO began operations in Pali district, Rajasthan.
- UNESCO Report on Education (2023): Over 132 million girls globally are out of school.
- India’s Female Literacy (Census 2011): ~65.5% (vs Male ~82%).
- India’s Education Schemes:
- Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (2015) – to improve CSR & girl child education.
- Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (2001) – universal elementary education.
- Right to Education Act (2009) – free & compulsory education for 6–14 years.