History has been made! The Foundation to Educate Girls Globally, famously known as ‘Educate Girls,’ has etched its name into the annals of Indian achievements. This incredible organization is now the first Indian non profit to be honored with the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award. It’s truly a moment of immense national pride.
Often called Asia’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize, the Ramon Magsaysay Award celebrates an extraordinary spirit. It acknowledges individuals and organizations that demonstrate profound selfless service to the people of Asia. And Educate Girls has certainly embodied that spirit.
Who are Educate Girls, you might ask? Well, this pioneering organization was founded by the visionary Safeena Husain. They’ve been recognized for their unwavering ‘commitment to addressing cultural stereotyping’ through a powerful weapon: education. Imagine the impact of ‘liberating them from the bondage of illiteracy and infusing them with skills, courage, and agency to achieve their full human potential.’ That’s the core mission tirelessly pursued by Educate Girls.
Safeena Husain herself reflected on this monumental achievement, describing it as a ‘historic moment for Educate Girls and for the country.’ Her words paint a vivid picture of the journey. This recognition, she explains, shines ‘a global spotlight on India’s people powered movement for girls’ education.’ It’s a movement that began with ‘a single girl in the remotest village and grew to reshape entire communities,’ daring to challenge age old traditions and truly shifting mindsets.
Husain’s ambition doesn’t stop there. ‘As we work to reach 10 million learners in the next decade and share this blueprint beyond India,’ she shared, ‘we carry forward a simple truth that when one girl is Educate Girls, she takes others with her, multiplying change across families, generations, and nations.’ This encapsulates the ripple effect they strive to create through their dedicated efforts to Educate Girls. The power of one girl’s education, unlocking potential for so many more. It’s a powerful and inspiring vision for the future, where every girl has the opportunity to learn and thrive. The organization truly believes in the transformative impact of their work to Educate Girls and empower communities.
While Educate Girls took the spotlight from India, other remarkable individuals were also honored. Rev. Flaviano Antonio Villanueva, a Filipino priest, received an award for his courageous stance against former President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug crackdown. He even provided proper funerals for the slain, despite facing death threats. Another winner was Shaahina Ali, a Maldivian diver. She ignited a movement to protect her island nation from plastic pollution through large scale cleanups and recycling initiatives.
Each of these inspiring awardees will be presented with a medallion, a certificate, and a cash prize. The official presentation ceremonies are scheduled for November 7 in Manila. It will be a day to celebrate immense dedication and service.
Safeena Husain embarked on this incredible journey in 2007. After graduating from the London School of Economics, she returned to her home country, driven by a fierce determination to combat female illiteracy. Educate Girls started its operations in Rajasthan, a region where the need was particularly acute. From humble beginnings, it steadily expanded across other underserved regions of India. Their impact has been profound, reaching over two million girls with an impressive retention rate exceeding 90 percent.
Their innovative approach includes the world’s first Development Impact Bond in education. This shows their commitment to finding effective and sustainable solutions. They also launched Pragati, an open schooling program specifically designed for young women, further expanding educational access. The tireless work of Educate Girls continues to transform lives, proving the immense power of focusing on female education.