The Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) has called for collective action to address persistent discrimination, gender-based violence and other barriers limiting the rights and opportunities of Nigerian women and girls.
The call was made by the organisation’s Executive Chair, Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, in a statement marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary.
Akiyode-Afolabi said the anniversary provided an opportunity not only to celebrate the courage and resilience that shaped Nigeria’s history, but also to reflect on the country’s continuing responsibility to ensure freedom, equality, dignity and justice for all.
She said independence remained an unfinished promise for millions of women and girls as discrimination, gender-based violence, unsafe environments, unequal access to healthcare and education, economic exclusion and limited participation in public life continued to affect their lives.
“Today, as Nigeria marks 66 years of independence, the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) joins Nigerians at home and abroad in celebrating the courage, resilience and vision that gave birth to our nation,” she said.
“We honour the many women and men whose contributions have shaped Nigeria and those who continue to work for a more just, peaceful and prosperous country.
“Yet, as we celebrate, we must also be honest about our collective responsibility. Independence is not only a historical milestone; it is a continuing journey towards freedom, equality, dignity and justice for all.”
According to her, WARDC’s recent engagements have further demonstrated the need to place women and girls at the centre of discussions on Nigeria’s democratic development, accountability and governance.
She highlighted the organisation’s work on access to information, implementation of the Freedom of Information Act, technology-facilitated violence against women and girls, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and survivor-centred access to justice.
“From strengthening access to information and demanding effective implementation of the Freedom of Information Act, to confronting technology-facilitated violence against women and girls, protecting sexual and reproductive health and rights, and creating survivor-centred pathways to justice, the message is clear: women’s rights are fundamental to the development of Nigeria,” Akiyode-Afolabi said.
She also stressed the importance of recognising the digital environment as part of the country’s civic and public space, saying women and girls should be able to speak, organise, participate and lead online without facing cyberstalking, online harassment, image-based abuse, cyberbullying or other forms of technology-facilitated violence.
“Accountability must extend to the digital environment, while responses to technology-facilitated violence must protect survivors, respect their dignity and strengthen access to remedy,” she said.
Akiyode-Afolabi also described access to information as critical to enabling women to claim their rights and hold public institutions accountable.
She said women could not effectively demand public services, challenge harmful practices, participate in decision-making or monitor government commitments when relevant information was inaccessible, delayed or withheld.
The WARDC chair urged civil society organisations to make effective use of the Freedom of Information framework by seeking relevant information, documenting responses, analysing evidence, advocating for reforms, pursuing appropriate remedies and monitoring government commitments.
The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the rights, health and dignity of women and girls through research, advocacy and documentation.
It said it would continue working with women’s rights organisations, feminist movements, survivors, government institutions, the media, development partners and other stakeholders to strengthen laws and policies, improve implementation and develop systems that respond to the realities facing women and girls.
Akiyode-Afolabi called on governments at all levels, civil society organisations, the private sector, the media, development partners and Nigerians generally to renew their commitment to building a country where no woman or girl is left behind.
“Nigeria’s independence must be reflected not only in national sovereignty, but also in the freedom, safety, dignity, health, voice and equal opportunity of every woman and girl,” she said.
“Let us build a Nigeria where women and girls can live free from violence, access the information and services they need, participate meaningfully in decisions that affect their lives, and contribute fully to our shared national future.”
She concluded by wishing Nigerians a happy Independence Day, with WARDC’s message: “Stronger Women. Healthier Communities. A More Just Nigeria.”
