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Male chauvinism in the nation is so pervasive that not even the president is protected,” declared a professor and feminist, expressing a sentiment shared by numerous women across the nation. This comes after a widely circulated footage showed a drunk man molesting Claudia Sheinbaum as she walked from the National Palace to the education ministry. Sheinbaum, who has filed a complaint against the assailant, remarked at a press briefing: “If they do this to the president, what happens to every other women in the country?”

Historic Position Sheds Light on Widespread Gender-Based Violence

The president’s unprecedented position has made this a learning opportunity in a culture where unwanted advances and assault on streets and public transport are frequently accepted and not taken seriously. At the same time, political opponents have claimed the incident was orchestrated to divert attention from the recent assassination of a city leader, Carlos Manzo. However, most women know that sexual violence need not be manufactured—research indicate that 50% of Mexican women have experienced it at one time or another in their lives.

Navigating Accessibility and Security

Sheinbaum, like her preceding leader, is known for mixing with the public, greeting people, and posing for selfies. It was during one such encounter that she was assaulted. “It’s a fragile equilibrium between ensuring security and being close to the public,” noted Ishtar Cardona. For a female president, it’s a stark realization that you often face no-win situations.

“For people raised in a very traditional manner where patriarchal structure are normalized, a female leader such as the president, who is a academic and a progressive, embodies everything traditional males in Mexico despise,” the sociologist elaborated.

Common Experiences of Assault and Resistance

Gender-based violence is not limited to this nation, of course. Discussing the leader’s ordeal opened a flood of recollections and shared stories among women. As the expert spoke about urging her pupils not to freeze when groped, she learned about personal incidents, such as one where a woman was assaulted twice during a religious pilgrimage. In a similar vein, accounts of resisting—like physically confronting a groper in a club—highlight a increasing worldwide trend of women rejecting to stay silent.

Shattering Silence and Embracing Outrage

Maybe this incident will represent a critical moment for Mexican women. “We have been breaking the taboo, but it’s very tough,” Cardona remarked. “A lot of women are ashamed, but today we can discuss it with more freedom.” The expert often shares with her students the measures she takes when going out, such as considering clothing to prevent harassment. And she poses a query to her male students: “Have you ever considered about that?” The answer is always no.

Today, with the leader’s violation captured on video and viewed globally, can Mexican men start to think differently? The sociologist urges everyone: “You have to embrace the outrage!”

A key point is clear: The individuals who fight back make their assailants remember.