The Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), has charged Nigerians on the importance need for collective responsibility as the country turned 66, pointing out that true independence remains an unfinished promise when discrimination, gender-based violence, unsafe environments, unequal access to healthcare and education, economic exclusion and barriers to participation continue to thrive.
The Executive Chair of the Centre Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi made this known in a statement, as the organisation joined Nigerians at home and abroad in celebrating the courage, resilience and vision that gave birth to the nation.
The Centre in the statement honoured Nigerians whose contributions have shaped Nigeria and those who continue to work for a more just, peaceful and prosperous country, stressing that independence is not only a historical milestone; but a continuing journey towards freedom, equality, dignity and justice for all.
‘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. 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’, Akiyode-Afola wrote.
‘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’, she added.
‘For millions of Nigerian women and girls, true independence remains an unfinished promise when discrimination, gender-based violence, unsafe environments, unequal access to healthcare and education, economic exclusion and barriers to participation continue to shape their lives’.
Akiyode-Afolabi explained that recent engagements Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) have reinforced the need to place women and girls at the centre of conversations about Nigeria’s democratic development and accountability.
‘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’, she stated.
The statement stated that the digital space must also be recognised as part of the civic and public space, emphasising that women and girls should be able to speak, organise, participate and lead online without being subjected to cyberstalking, online harassment, do, image-based abuse, cyberbullying and 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. Access to information is equally central to women’s ability to claim their rights and hold institutions accountable’.
‘Women cannot effectively demand services, challenge harmful practices, participate in public decision-making or monitor government commitments when relevant information is inaccessible, delayed or withheld. Civil society organisations therefore have an important role to play in using the Freedom of Information framework to ask questions, document responses, analyse evidence, advocate for change, pursue appropriate remedies and follow up on commitments.
The Centre said it remains committed to advancing the rights, health and dignity of women and girls through research, advocacy and documentation, stressing that it We will continue to work 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 build systems that respond to the realities of women and girls.
‘At WARDC, we remain committed to advancing the rights, health and dignity of women and girls through research, advocacy and documentation. We will continue to work 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 build systems that respond to the realities of women and girls.
The Centre boss, however, called on government at all levels, civil society, private sector, media, development partners and every Nigerian to renew their commitment to 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. 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 our shared national future. Happy Independence Day, Nigeria! Stronger Women. Healthier Communities. A More Just Nigeria’, Akiyode-Afolabi added