In a nation where silence often shields perpetrators and victims suffer in the shadows, Teresa Ulloa Ziáurriz refused to look away. The pioneering Mexican human rights advocate, who dedicated her life to dismantling organized sex rings and defending the dignity of women and children, has died at age 75. Her passing marks the end of a courageous, often perilous journey that reshaped Mexico’s conversation around gender violence and exploitation .
Table of Contents
- A Lonely Fight in a Culture of Silence
- Founding CIMAC: Giving Voice to the Voiceless
- Confronting Traffickers—and the System
- A Legacy That Lives On
A Lonely Fight in a Culture of Silence
Ulloa’s battle began in an era when speaking out against prostitution or sex trafficking in Mexico was not just taboo—it was dangerous. In a society long dominated by machismo, where women’s suffering was frequently normalized or ignored, she stood nearly alone. Her work wasn’t just advocacy; it was a direct challenge to deeply entrenched power structures, including corrupt officials and criminal networks that profited from sexual exploitation .
She faced threats, intimidation, and institutional indifference. Yet, she persisted—driven by a moral clarity that saw every victim not as a statistic, but as a human being deserving of justice.
Founding CIMAC: Giving Voice to the Voiceless
In 1997, Ulloa co-founded CIMAC (Centro de Información y Asesoría sobre el Acoso Sexual), an organization that would become a cornerstone of feminist journalism and anti-trafficking activism in Latin America. CIMAC didn’t just document abuses—it investigated them, published hard-hitting reports, and pushed for legal reforms when few others would .
Under her leadership, CIMAC trained journalists to report on gender-based violence with sensitivity and rigor. It also provided legal and psychological support to survivors, creating one of the first integrated response systems for victims of sexual exploitation in Mexico.
Confronting Traffickers—and the System
Ulloa understood that sex trafficking wasn’t just a criminal issue—it was a systemic one. She tirelessly lobbied for stronger laws, better enforcement, and international cooperation. Her advocacy helped shape Mexico’s 2007 anti-trafficking legislation and influenced regional policies across Central America .
But her most radical act may have been reframing the narrative: she insisted that women and girls in prostitution were not “willing participants” but victims of coercion, poverty, and systemic failure. This perspective, now widely accepted in human rights circles, was revolutionary—and controversial—at the time.
A Legacy That Lives On
Teresa Ulloa Ziáurriz’s legacy isn’t just in laws changed or traffickers prosecuted—it’s in the thousands of survivors who found refuge, the journalists she mentored, and the new generation of activists who now carry her torch. Organizations like CIMAC continue her mission, and her writings remain essential texts in gender studies and human rights programs across the Americas.
Key Milestones in Ulloa’s Life and Work
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1949 | Born in Mexico |
| 1997 | Co-founded CIMAC |
| 2000s | Instrumental in drafting Mexico’s anti-sex trafficking laws |
| 2010s | Expanded advocacy to Central America and international forums |
| 2025 | Died at age 75 |
