🔗 Share this article

“Machismo in Mexico is so pervasive that not one the head of state is safe,” stated Caterina Camastra, expressing a sentiment echoed 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 perpetrator, commented at a media conference: “If they do this to the leader, what occurs to every other women in the nation?”

Unprecedented Position Highlights on Widespread Sexual Harassment

Sheinbaum’s unprecedented role has made this a teaching moment in a society where sexual harassment and physical violation on streets and buses and trains are often accepted and not taken seriously. At the same time, rival factions have alleged the incident was staged to divert attention from the recent murder of a city leader, Carlos Manzo. Yet, most women understand that sexual violence need not be manufactured—studies indicate that half of Mexican women have faced it at one time or another in their lives.

Balancing Accessibility and Security

Sheinbaum, similar to her predecessor, is known for wading into crowds, greeting people, and posing for selfies. She was such an interaction that she was groped. “This is a fragile balance between being safe and being close to the people,” explained Ishtar Cardona. As a female president, it’s a stark realization that frequently face no-win situations.

Those brought up in a deeply conservative way where patriarchal structure are normalized, a woman like Sheinbaum, who is a scientist and a progressive, represents everything macho men in the country despise,” the sociologist explained.

Common Experiences of Assault and Fighting Back

Gender-based violence is not limited to this nation, naturally. Discussing the president’s experience opened a wave of recollections and exchanged stories among female individuals. As Cardona mentioned advising her students to react when assaulted, she heard about personal incidents, such as one where a woman was violated on two occasions during a religious pilgrimage. In a similar vein, stories of resisting—like physically confronting a assailant in a nightspot—underscore a increasing worldwide trend of females rejecting to stay silent.

Shattering Silence and Embracing Anger

Maybe this incident will represent a critical moment for Mexican women. “We have been challenging the silence, but it’s incredibly difficult,” the sociologist remarked. “Many women are embarrassed, but now we are able to talk about it with greater openness.” She routinely discusses with her class the measures she takes when going out, such as thinking about attire to avoid harassment. And she poses a query to her male students: “Did you ever thought about that?” The answer is always no.

Now, after the president’s violation captured on video and viewed worldwide, can Mexican men start to think differently? Cardona urges everyone: “It’s essential to embrace the outrage!”

A key point is clear: Those who resist make their assailants remember.