Published: 4 March 2026Governance
Safeena Husain of Educate Girls Named in TIME's Women of the Year 2026
Safeena Husain, founder of Indian NGO Educate Girls, was named among TIME's Women of the Year 2026, alongside 16 global leaders. Educate Girls works in rural India to enrol out-of-school girls and improve learning outcomes. The organisation has enrolled over 2 million girls in schools across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.
Husain pioneered the world's first Development Impact Bond (DIB) in education with UBS Optimus Foundation, which exceeded its targets in Rajasthan. Her model uses 'Team Balika' community volunteers who go door-to-door in remote villages. Rajasthan, where Educate Girls started its operations, has seen a significant improvement in girl child enrolment in targeted districts.
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Frequently asked questions
Why was Safeena Husain of Educate Girls named in TIME's Women of the Year 2026?
**Safeena Husain**, founder of **Educate Girls** NGO, was named in **TIME's Women of the Year 2026** alongside 16 global leaders for enrolling over **1.4 million girls** in schools across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, and for pioneering the world's first **Development Impact Bond (DIB)** in education.
How many girls has Educate Girls enrolled and in which states does it operate?
**Educate Girls** has enrolled over **1.4 million girls** in schools across **Rajasthan**, **Madhya Pradesh**, and **Uttar Pradesh**. The NGO uses '**Team Balika**' community volunteers who conduct door-to-door visits in remote villages to identify and enrol out-of-school girls.
What is the Development Impact Bond pioneered by Safeena Husain and Educate Girls?
**Safeena Husain** pioneered the world's **first Development Impact Bond (DIB) in education** with **UBS Optimus Foundation** in Rajasthan. DIBs are results-based financing instruments where investors provide upfront capital and are repaid (with returns) by outcome funders only if agreed targets are met. The Educate Girls DIB **exceeded its targets** in Rajasthan.
What is 'Team Balika' and how does Educate Girls use it in Rajasthan?
**'Team Balika'** is Educate Girls' network of community volunteers who go **door-to-door in remote villages** to identify out-of-school girls and enrol them in schools. This grassroots approach has been central to the NGO's success in **Rajasthan** (where it started) and has been replicated in MP and UP, enrolling over **1.4 million girls**.
Who founded Educate Girls and what TIME recognition did it receive in 2026?
**Educate Girls** was founded by **Safeena Husain**, who was named in **TIME's Women of the Year 2026** alongside 16 global leaders. The NGO has enrolled over **1.4 million girls** across Rajasthan, MP, and UP, and pioneered the world's first **Development Impact Bond** in education with UBS Optimus Foundation.
