Global Ethics Weekly: Human Rights on the Ground, with Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox

Feb 14, 2019

Quinnipiac's Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox discusses her work researching the conception of human rights in a community in rural India. She tells the story of Chaya Kakade, a woman who went on a hunger strike after the Indian government proposed a tax on sanitary napkins, and has since built her own production center in Latur. How does Kakade understand human rights? How can Westerners move beyond a legalistic view of the concept?

Quinnipiac's Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox discusses her work researching the conception of human rights in a community in rural India. She tells the story of Chaya Kakade, a woman who went on a hunger strike after the Indian government proposed a tax on sanitary napkins, and has since built her own production center in Latur. How does Kakade understand human rights? How can Westerners move beyond a legalistic view of the concept?

For more on Kakade, check out Gadkar-Wilcox's Carnegie New Leaders podcast from one year ago. Gadkar-Wilcox also discussed her campaign to be state representative in Connecticut in a Global Ethics Weekly last month. This podcast also references a recent podcast with Suchitra Vijayan on the rise of right-wing nationalism and identity-based violence in India.

You may also like

United Nations headquarters, New York City. CREDIT: Shutterstock.com/blurAZ.

JUN 4, 2026 Article

International Humanitarian Law under Stress, Humanitarian Lives under Fire

UN Under-Secretary-General Gilles Michaud reflects on the erosion of international humanitarian law and the urgent need to restore accountability and protection for aid workers.

Left to Right: Ann Curry, Ben Loeterman, Emma Belcher, Joel Rosenthal. CREDIT: Bryan Goldberg Photogrpahy.

MAY 22, 2026 Video

Nuclear Ethics

This "Values & Interests" panel discussion, held in partnership with PBS and moderated by acclaimed journalist Ann Curry, is available to view in full.

Joel Rosenthal and James Story.

MAY 1, 2026 Video

U.S. Power and Principle

James Story, former U.S. ambassador to Venezuela, visits Carnegie Council to discuss the new dynamic between American power and principle.