Ramon Magsaysay Award to Educate Girls (NGO)

Why in News ?

• Indian non-profit organization (NGO) Foundation to Educate Girls Globally (Educate Girls) has been announced to be awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for 2025.
• The organization was given this honor for promoting girls' education in rural and educationally deprived areas and linking community-government resources.

Educate Girls Foundation:

• Founded: 2007
• Founder: Safina Hussai
• Headquarters / starting area: Rajasthan
• Objectives:
  • To identify out-of-school girls.
  • To connect them to education and retain them in education.
  • To establish girls' education as a fundamental right by community mobilization, government cooperation and overcoming socio-cultural barriers.
• Mission Phrase: “One Girl at a Time”
  • Breaking the cycle of illiteracy and poverty.
  • Creating access to higher education and employment opportunities through education.
  • Strengthening community-based solutions and government partnerships.

Ramon Magsaysay Award 2025

• 67th Edition
• Award Ceremony: 7 November 2025, at Metropolitan Theater, Manila (Philippines).
• Honoree/Organization:
  • Foundation to Educate Girls Globally (India) – For girls’ education.
  • Shaheena Ali (Maldives) – Environmental Conservation Work.
  • Flaviano Antonio L. Villanueva (Philippines) – Environmental Conservation Work.
• Award format:
  • A medal
  • A certificate
  • Cash prize

Significance

• This award is a moment of prestige and pride for India as Educate Girls is the first Indian organization to receive the Ramon Magsaysay Award.
• It reflects global recognition of the efforts being made for the education of girls in rural areas of India.
• Establishes education as the main means of equality, empowerment and sustainable development.

Ramon Magsaysay Award:

• The Ramon Magsaysay Award was established in 1957 in memory of Ramon Magsaysay, President of the Philippines.
• This award is given to those individuals and organizations of Asia who have made significant contributions in social service, leadership, education, journalism, literature, art and public life.
• It is also called the "Nobel Prize" of Asia as it is a recognition of selfless service towards humanity and society.
• This award is given by the Ramon Magsaysay Foundation, Manila (Philippines).