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.
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 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.
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.
