Popularly known as Educate Girls, the Foundation to Educate Girls Globally has made history by becoming the first Indian organisation to receive the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award, widely regarded as Asia’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize. While several individuals from India have won the award in the past, this marks a significant milestone for an Indian institution.

The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) announced this year’s winners in a statement, recognising individuals and organisations that demonstrate exceptional courage, integrity, and selfless service to the people of Asia.

Founded by Safeena Husain, Educate Girls was recognised for “its commitment to addressing cultural stereotyping through the education of girls and young women, liberating them from the bondage of illiteracy, and infusing them with skills, courage, and agency to achieve their full human potential,” RMAF said.

Established in 2007, Educate Girls began its journey when Husain, a London School of Economics graduate, returned to India from San Francisco to address the pressing issue of female illiteracy. The organisation initially focused on rural Rajasthan, identifying the most underserved communities and working to enrol out-of-school girls, while also ensuring they stayed in the classroom long enough to pursue higher education and employment.

In 2015, Educate Girls launched the world’s first Development Impact Bond (DIB) in education, linking financial aid directly to measurable learning and enrolment outcomes. What began with 50 pilot village schools has since scaled up to over 30,000 villages across India, positively impacting more than two million girls, with a retention rate exceeding 90%.

The organisation also pioneered Pragati, an open-schooling initiative that empowers young women aged 15–29 to complete their education and access lifelong opportunities. Starting with just 300 learners, Pragati now supports over 31,500 participants.