Nikita Paudel is a BA-MPP student at the Jackson School of Global Affairs. As an undergraduate, she studies global affairs, with a deep passion for exploring the intersection of international development and human rights. Originally from Nepal, she immigrated to the U.S., where her experiences have fueled her dedication to social justice and advocacy. As the founder of Pyari, a menstrual health management company in Nepal, Nikita is particularly focused on advancing sexual and reproductive health rights. Her work centers on creating sustainable, community-driven solutions that empower individuals to manage their health with confidence and dignity. 

At Yale, Nikita has deepened her focus on building strong networks of support and engagement. As co-editor-in-chief of the Yale Human Rights Journal, she fostered a community of passionate undergraduates through the production of critical publications addressing pressing global human rights issues. Her research with the University Network for Human Rights and the Yale Law School’s Lowenstein Project centered on documenting and reporting human rights violations, advocating for marginalized populations, and engaging in international advocacy at the United Nations. Beyond campus, Nikita has supported the roles of INGOs and NGOs in their local grassroots efforts as an asylee caseworker intern with the International Rescue Committee and a digital and grassroots organizer at Rank the Vote.

Through her M.P.P. degree, Nikita seeks to develop practical skills and expertise to scale impactful solutions and bridge the gaps between public policy and its implementation, particularly in marginalized communities, both on national and global stages.