🔗 Share this article

“Machismo in Mexico is so pervasive that not one the head of state is protected,” stated Caterina Camastra, expressing a feeling echoed by many women throughout the nation. This follows after a widely circulated footage showed a intoxicated man groping Claudia Sheinbaum as she walked from the National Palace to the department of education. The president, who has filed a complaint against the perpetrator, remarked at a media conference: “When this happens to the leader, what happens to all the other women in the country?”

Historic Position Sheds Light on Widespread Gender-Based Violence

The president’s unprecedented position has made this a teaching moment in a society where unwanted advances and physical violation on public spaces and buses and trains are often normalized and not taken seriously. Meanwhile, political opponents have claimed the assault was orchestrated to divert attention from the recently murder of a city leader, Carlos Manzo. Yet, most women understand that sexual violence need not be staged—research indicate that 50% of women in Mexico have experienced it at one time or another in their lives.

Balancing Accessibility and Safety

Sheinbaum, like her preceding leader, is recognized for wading into crowds, greeting people, and taking photos. It was during one such encounter that she was assaulted. “This is a delicate balance between being safe and being close to the public,” explained Ishtar Cardona. As a woman leader, it’s a stark reminder that you often can’t win.

“For people brought up in a very traditional manner where male-dominated systems are accepted, a woman like Sheinbaum, who is a academic and a progressive, embodies everything macho men in the country despise,” the sociologist elaborated.

Shared Stories of Assault and Resistance

Sexual assault is not limited to this nation, naturally. Talking about the leader’s ordeal unleashed a wave of memories and shared stories among women. When Cardona mentioned advising her students not to freeze when groped, she heard about personal experiences, such as a case where a woman was assaulted twice during a holy journey. Similarly, accounts of resisting—like physically confronting a groper in a club—highlight a increasing global trend of women rejecting to stay silent.

Shattering Silence and Embracing Outrage

Perhaps this event will mark a turning point for Mexican women. “We have been challenging the taboo, but it’s incredibly difficult,” the sociologist remarked. “Many women are ashamed, but today we are able to talk about it with greater openness.” The expert routinely discusses with her students the precautions she takes when going out, such as thinking about clothing to prevent harassment. She asks a query to her male pupils: “Did you ever considered about that?” The answer is invariably no.

Today, after the president’s violation recorded on video and viewed worldwide, will men in Mexico start to think differently? The sociologist encourages all: “It’s essential to harness the anger!”

A key point is clear: The individuals who fight back leave a lasting impression.