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“Machismo in the nation is so deeply rooted that not one the president is protected,” declared Caterina Camastra, expressing a feeling echoed by many women across the country. This comes after a viral video showed a intoxicated man molesting Claudia Sheinbaum as she walked from the National Palace to the department of education. Sheinbaum, who has filed a complaint against the perpetrator, commented at a media conference: “If they do this to the president, what occurs to all the other women in the nation?”

Historic Position Sheds Light on Pervasive Gender-Based Violence

The president’s historic role has turned this into a learning opportunity 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 claimed the assault was staged to divert attention from the recent murder of a city leader, Carlos Manzo. Yet, most women understand that gender-based aggression doesn’t need staged—studies indicate that 50% of women in Mexico have faced it at some point in their lifetimes.

Balancing Public Engagement and Security

The president, like her predecessor, is known for wading into crowds, shaking hands, and posing for selfies. It was during such an encounter that she was groped. “It’s a fragile balance between being safe and being close to the public,” explained a sociologist specializing in cultural studies. For a woman leader, it’s a sobering reminder that frequently can’t win.

“For people raised in a deeply conservative way where patriarchal structure are accepted, a woman like Sheinbaum, who is a scientist and a progressive, embodies all that macho men in the country despise,” the sociologist elaborated.

Shared Experiences of Violation and Resistance

Gender-based violence is not limited to this nation, naturally. Discussing the president’s experience opened a wave of memories and shared accounts among female individuals. When the expert spoke about urging her students not to freeze when assaulted, she learned about firsthand incidents, such as one where a woman was assaulted on two occasions during a religious pilgrimage. In a similar vein, stories of fighting back—like physically confronting a groper in a nightspot—highlight a growing worldwide trend of females rejecting to stay silent.

Shattering Silence and Embracing Anger

Perhaps this event will represent a turning point for women across Mexico. “For about a decade, we’ve been challenging the taboo, but it’s incredibly difficult,” the sociologist remarked. “Many women are embarrassed, but today we are able to talk about it with more freedom.” The expert often discusses with her students the precautions she employs when leaving home, such as thinking about clothing to prevent unwanted advances. She poses a question to her male pupils: “Have you ever thought about that?” Their response is always no.

Now, with the leader’s assault captured on video and seen globally, can men in Mexico start to reconsider? Cardona encourages all: “It’s essential to harness the anger!”

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