Women in Hermosillo March for Safety and Justice on Women’s Day

Under the blazing sun of Hermosillo, Mexico, the streets were alive with the voices of women demanding change. On Sunday, in observance of International Women’s Day, a diverse group comprising students, feminist groups, and families came together in a unified call for action against violence.

Chants of “To whoever’s listening, this is your fight,” resonated as the protesters made their way through Hermosillo’s main thoroughfares, eventually gathering at the state judiciary building. Their voices echoed the urgent call for justice and reform.

Placards and banners displayed a range of issues including the fight against imperialism and the demand for abortion rights. Yet, the primary concern among the marchers was an end to violence, with safety taking center stage. María Soto, attending with her mother, expressed a shared sentiment: “I, along with the majority of my friends, my mom, all the women surrounding us, have survived some type of violence.”

The rallying cries urged the government to ensure accountability for abusers and sought justice for the numerous women who have gone missing or been murdered in Sonora, a state beset by cartel-related disappearances. The alarming number of unresolved cases stood as a stark reminder of the ongoing crisis.

Additionally, participants called for the legalization and accessibility of abortion within Sonora’s hospitals, highlighting that the state is among the minority in Mexico where abortion remains illegal.

“If we don’t change things, nobody will,” Soto emphasized. “That’s why I’m here, so they keep listening to us, and to create a better future for women.” Despite the overall peaceful nature of the march, some protesters took to spray painting the judiciary building and burning signs at its entrance, underscoring the intensity of their demands.

Taydee Parra Villagran attended the march with her daughters, one of whom was a baby adorned with the purple face paint symbolic of International Women’s Day. “I want them to know that they’re free, and no man can subjugate them,” Parra Villagran declared, reflecting the hope and determination for future generations.