María Sagrario González Flores was a 17-year-old who became one of the most well-known victims of femicide in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. Her case is emblematic of the gender-based violence that has affected many women in this region. Paula Flores Bonilla, her mother, described Sagrario as “friendly with many people,” yet having a quiet personality and a preference for socializing within the family or among the girls in the church choir where she performed. In addition to singing in the choir, Sagrario enjoyed playing the guitar and teaching Sunday school to children. The case of María Sagrario González Flores has had a lasting impact on the fight against feminicide and the search for justice for women in Ciudad Juárez and beyond.
The image features four women standing in front of a green background. The leftmost woman (Paula Flores) has long dark hair tied back and is wearing a white t-shirt with a photo of a woman and the text "JUSTICIA" printed on it, under a black jacket. The second woman from the left (Cynthia Bejarano) has long, loose dark hair and is wearing a red dress with a black and red pattern underneath. She is smiling and has her arm around the woman to her left. The third woman from the left (Esther Chávez Cano) is wearing glasses, a black hat, and a black outfit with a striped scarf. She has her arm around the woman to her right. Rightmost woman (Guillermina) has dark hair tied back and is wearing a red sweater with a patterned scarf. She has a white ribbon pinned on her sweater and is looking at the camera with a serious expression. The women are standing close together, displaying a sense of unity and support.
In the Lomas de Poleo neighborhood, Paula Flores Bonilla unveiled a bust sculpted in the likeness of her daughter, María Sagrario González Flores, who disappeared and was found dead 26 years ago in Ciudad Juárez. The bust stands on a cement base in the courtyard of a kindergarten named after María Sagrario, who was 17 when she last left her home on April 16, 1998, never to be seen alive again. The installation of the bust is part of the memory and non-repetition measures recommended by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and agreed upon by the Mexican government. After Sagrario's death, her family became involved in the Lomas de Poleo community, which was underdeveloped and lacked public services in the late 1990s. They advocated for street lighting and the construction of a kindergarten, as none existed in the area. A family member donated the land for the school, and the community collaborated to build a fence around it, initially made of wood and wire. The kindergarten started with a mobile classroom and now features three buildings, a dome, and a playground, providing a dignified education to the local children. At the unveiling event, Paula Flores expressed gratitude to the community, the school's administration, the Center for Integral Development of Women (CEDIMAC) for their support, and the Mexican authorities for adhering to the IACHR recommendations. Image description: Paula Flores is standing at a podium, speaking into a microphone. She has long, dark hair tied back and is wearing glasses and a black and white striped blouse. She is holding papers or a script in her left hand. Next to her is a bronze statue of a woman with long hair, depicted in a semi-formal blouse. The statue is mounted on a white pedestal that has a plaque with inscriptions. There are flowers placed at the base of the pedestal. The statue depicts a woman with long hair, looking straight ahead with a calm expression. The plaque reads: "María Sagrario González Flores 1980-1998, Thoughts: "My most frequent feeling is love. What I like most is singing, talking, having fun, listening to music, and enjoying my family, and defending my ideas." 02.29.2024
Paula Flores is painting a utility pole on a busy street in downtown Ciudad Juárez. She is holding a paintbrush in one hand and a paint container in the other, applying a pink background with a black cross painted on it. She is wearing a plaid shirt and a light-colored cap, and has long dark hair.
Kirin, also known as Qilin in Chinese mythology, is a mythical creature revered for its auspicious attributes and benevolent nature. The yokai typically combines features of various animals such as a deer's body, scales like a dragon, and sometimes a lion's mane. It is distinguished by its gentle demeanor and is believed to appear only during the reign of a wise and benevolent ruler or in times of peace and harmony. Revered as a symbol of virtue and righteousness, Kirin embodies the ideals of wisdom, compassion, and harmony in East Asian cultures.
Ningyo, known as the "human fish" or "mermaid" in Japanese folklore, is a mythical creature with the upper body of a human and the lower body of a fish. They are believed to possess supernatural abilities such as granting immortality or causing storms. Despite their allure, capturing a Ningyo is said to bring misfortune or disaster to the captor or their village. Stories warn of the consequences of greed when pursuing these creatures, emphasizing their role as cautionary symbols in Japanese mythology.
Onryo, a vengeful spirit in Japanese folklore, embodies the lingering grudges and deep-seated resentment of the deceased. These spirits are believed to arise from individuals who died under tragic or unjust circumstances, fueling their desire for revenge against those who wronged them in life. They manifest to torment and seek retribution upon their targets, often causing misfortune, illness, or death. Onryo tales serve as cautionary tales against betrayal, injustice, and unresolved grievances, highlighting the importance of honor, respect, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts in traditional Japanese culture.
Kitsune, meaning "fox" in Japanese, is a prominent figure in Japanese folklore known for its shape-shifting abilities and cunning intelligence. They are known to be both benevolent guardians and mischievous tricksters, with their behavior reflecting the complex and sometimes ambiguous nature of human emotions. Kitsune legends often portray them as loyal companions, wise advisors, or formidable adversaries, depending on their interactions with humans and their intentions. The kitsune mythos intertwines with Japanese cultural beliefs, emphasizing themes of transformation, loyalty, and the consequences of encountering the supernatural world.
Tenome is a distinctive yokai from Japanese folklore, characterized by its unnerving appearance: instead of on its head, it possesses a large eye in each palm, which constantly moves and gazes. Legend suggests Tenome was once a human, possibly a criminal punished in death by this transformation. This yokai is known to haunt dark places like lonely paths and alleys, where it startles and terrifies unsuspecting travelers, particularly those who are curious or nosy. Tales often depict Tenome's eyes as having a hypnotic or mesmerizing effect, adding to its eerie and unsettling nature. Encounters with Tenome are described as surreal and chilling, serving as a cautionary tale against trespassing into forbidden areas.
Photographic image of a Ravenala madagascariensis in East Africa, commonly known as the traveller's tree, traveller's palm or East-West palm, is a species of monocotyledonous flowering plant found in Madagascar. It is not a true palm but a member of the family Strelitziaceae