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.
On March 2, 2002, in Chihuahua, 16-year-old Paloma Escobar disappeared after leaving home for her computer classes. Her mother, Norma Ledezma Ortega, was frantic and immediately began searching, filing a complaint the next day. Despite her efforts, Paloma's body was found on March 29, 2002, near the Chihuahua-Ciudad Aldama highway, revealing a violent homicide. The investigation faced significant delays and deficiencies, causing further anguish. The case, marked by serious procedural failures, was reported to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) on December 30, 2003, and admitted on March 14, 2006.
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
Doña Evangelina Arce is a prominent human rights activist and poet from Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, whose activism began after her own daughter Silvia disappeared in 1998. Arce has been involved with various social justice organizations in Mexico, including the Casa Amiga center. As a poet, writer, and songwriter, Arce has used her creative work to bring attention to the crisis of violence against women in Ciudad Juárez. Since then, Arce has been a tireless advocate on behalf of victims of femicide and disappearances in Ciudad Juárez. In addition to her human rights work, she is also known for her involvement in the local community, including through her participation in marches and protests demanding justice and accountability. Arce's activism and advocacy have made her a legendary figure in the global feminist movement and the struggle against femicide in Ciudad Juárez. She is widely respected for her courage, determination, and unwavering commitment to seeking justice for the victims and their families.
Paula Flores Bonilla is the mother of María Sagrario González Flores, a young woman who was tragically murdered in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, in 2001 as part of the ongoing feminicides—gender-based killings of women. For nearly two decades, Paula has been tirelessly fighting for justice and demanding accountability from the authorities, whom she considers the "true killers" due to their inaction and complicity in allowing the feminicides to continue with impunity.
Despite her grief and the immense challenges she has faced, Paula remains courageous and determined in her quest for truth and justice, not only for her daughter but for all the victims of feminicide in Ciudad Juárez. Her story exemplifies the power of mothers who have turned their mourning into activism, standing up against the disappearances and murders of women in the region.
Paula's unwavering pursuit of justice has made her a prominent voice in denouncing the ongoing violence against women in Ciudad Juárez and demanding an end to the impunity that has allowed these crimes to persist. Her activism has shed light on the harsh realities faced by humble migrant families seeking a better life in the border city, only to be met with tragedy and injustice.
Paula Flores Bonilla's relentless efforts serve as an inspiration to many, demonstrating the strength and resilience of a mother's love and her unwavering commitment to seeking justice for her daughter and all the victims of feminicide.
This pamphlet provides information about Justicia Para Nuestras Hijas A.C., an organization founded on March 29, 2002, by families of victims of disappearance and femicide. The organization's mission is to assist families in their search for justice and to ensure authorities take appropriate action. The pamphlet includes contact details such as a phone number, email, and Facebook page, along with a map to their office located at Avenida 20 de Noviembre No. 4112, Colonia Independencia, Chihuahua, Chih. The front cover features the organization's logo and slogan, "En búsqueda de la verdad y la justicia" or "In Search of the Truth and Justice"
This image features a pink background with text detailing the case of Paloma Angélica Escobar Ledezma's disappearance and femicide. The text mentions that on July 14, 2010, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights issued Report No. 87/10, recognizing the responsibility of the Mexican State for human rights violations against Paloma and her family. The report included nine recommendations, emphasizing the implementation of a state policy to prevent recurrence, supported by public resources to ensure cases of violence against women are properly prevented, investigated, sanctioned, and redressed in Chihuahua City. It also mentions an agreement signed in August 2011 to fulfill these recommendations. At the bottom, the logo of "Justicia para Nuestras Hijas" (Justice for Our Daughters) is displayed, featuring a white dove.
In this image, Norma Ledezma (left) and Sally Meisenhelder (right) are engaged in a conversation at Plaza Hidalgo in front of the government palace. Norma Ledezma is wearing a dark blue polka-dotted top and has a photograph of a missing person, likely her daughter, around her neck. She has a focused expression and appears to be speaking earnestly. Sally Meisenhelder is wearing a white top with colorful patterns and a face mask. The background shows a vehicle with its hood open and various posters of missing persons, indicating that the setting is part of an awareness event or protest related to disappearances and seeking justice. The two women are likely discussing matters related to their activism and efforts for justice.
Norma Ledezma, founder and director of the organization Justicia Para Nuestras Hijas, continues her unwavering activism to support families seeking justice for their missing loved ones. On June 29, 2022, accompanied by around 30 people, Ledezma led a march around Plaza Hidalgo in front of the government palace, placing photographs of dozens of missing persons. This location has been a significant site where, since the 1990s, mothers and activists have gathered to advocate for justice. In her speech, Ledezma highlighted that families gather here on the 29th of every month to remember their loved ones and demand that authorities expedite pending investigations. During the protest, relatives of young women who had disappeared in the capital shared their testimonies, calling for attention from the authorities.
Norma Ledezma Ortega is a lawyer and the founder of the organization Justicia Para Nuestras Hijas, or "Justice for Our Daughters." She has dedicated her career to advocating for the rights of families seeking justice for their missing or murdered daughters, working tirelessly to bring attention to the issue of gender-based violence and disappearances. Her organization provides support to affected families and pressures authorities to expedite investigations and deliver justice.
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.