On November 25, 2019—International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women—the heart of Guayaquil pulsed with resistance and memory. In the iconic Plaza San Francisco, along the symbolic 9 de Octubre Avenue, hundreds of women gathered to protest, to perform, and to reclaim public space in a country where gender-based violence is a daily reality.
The atmosphere was electric: chants, songs, and painted bodies converged in a vibrant performance of defiance and solidarity. This was more than a march—it was a ritual, a denunciation, a collective cry for justice. Women of all ages, backgrounds, and identities made visible the pain that often remains hidden behind closed doors or silenced by institutions.
At the center of the action was the performance of “Un violador en tu camino” (“A Rapist in Your Path”), a feminist anthem that had begun in Chile and echoed throughout Latin America. With eyes blindfolded and fists raised, the women transformed the plaza into a stage of collective resistance. Their voices cut through the city noise with precision and urgency, accusing systems, governments, and social structures that enable violence and impunity.
Photographing this event was a responsibility and a privilege. Each image captures not only the intensity of that day but the unyielding spirit of a movement that refuses to be silenced. This series is a tribute to the women of Ecuador who continue to stand up, speak out, and fight for a future free of fear.
