New Delhi: Leaders from government, academia, and industry came together in the capital this week to chart new pathways for girls’ education and skilling, following Educate Girls’ historic Ramon Magsaysay Award win. The gathering at the Civil Services Officers’ Institute brought together prominent figures including Safeena Husain, Founder of Educate Girls, alongside senior former officials and education experts.
The roundtable opened with remarks from Rakesh Ranjan, former Mission Director of NITI Aayog, who underlined that while school infrastructure has improved, learning outcomes remain the real challenge. He stressed that higher female literacy leads to stronger social systems and smoother implementation of welfare schemes.
Jagdish Mitra, Board Member of the National Skill Development Corporation, highlighted the scalability of Educate Girls’ community-driven model. He called for closer collaborations between NSDC and organisations like Educate Girls to align education with skills development.
A panel discussion on linking education and skilling policies underlined the importance of civil society in bridging gaps for underserved female youth. Speakers agreed that data-driven, collaborative approaches involving government, civil society, and academia were essential to ensure that every girl accesses education and opportunity.
Safeena Husain said the Ramon Magsaysay Award was recognition of the courage of thousands of girls and their communities reclaiming their right to education. “Our work is for them,” she said. “The award shines a spotlight on grassroots-led change and on the idea that when we educate girls, we change the fabric of society.”
Educate Girls, founded in 2007, partners with state governments and mobilises communities to boost enrolment in rural areas of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. With the support of over 55,000 community volunteers, the organisation has helped enrol more than 20 lakh girls in school.
The Ramon Magsaysay Award is regarded as Asia’s premier prize for transformative leadership. Educate Girls’ recognition marks the first time an Indian non-profit has received the honour, signalling global recognition of India’s efforts to ensure no girl is left behind.
