Nigeria, Oct. 2 -- As Nigeria marks its 66th independence anniversary, the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) has called for renewed commitment to building a just, inclusive and gender-equal society.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the organisation's Executive Director, Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, said the rights and safety of women must remain central to Nigeria's democratic development.

She also highlighted the need to address technology-facilitated abuse and protect online civic spaces where women and girls participate in public discourse.

Mrs Akiyode-Afolabi said independence remained an "unfinished promise" for millions of Nigerian women and girls because of persistent discrimination, gender-based violence, u...