“Machismo in Mexico is so deeply rooted that not even the head of state is safe,” declared a professor and feminist, voicing a sentiment shared by numerous women across the nation. This comes after a viral video showed a drunk man groping the country’s first female president as she strolled from the presidential residence to the department of education. Sheinbaum, who has filed a complaint against the assailant, remarked at a press briefing: “When this happens to the leader, what happens to all the other women in the country?”
The president’s unprecedented position has made this a teaching moment in a society where sexual harassment and assault on public spaces and buses and trains are frequently normalized and dismissed. Meanwhile, rival factions have claimed the assault was staged to divert attention from the recently assassination of a local mayor, Carlos Manzo. Yet, most women understand that gender-based aggression need not be manufactured—studies indicate that 50% of Mexican women have experienced it at some point in their lives.
The president, like her predecessor, is known for mixing with the public, shaking hands, and taking photos. It was during such an interaction that she was groped. “It’s a delicate equilibrium between ensuring security and maintaining proximity to the people,” noted Ishtar Cardona. As a female president, it’s a stark reminder that frequently face no-win situations.
Those brought up in a deeply conservative manner where patriarchal structure are normalized, a woman such as the president, who is a scientist and a leftist, represents all that macho men in the country despise,” the sociologist elaborated.
Sexual assault is not limited to this nation, naturally. Talking about the president’s experience opened a wave of recollections and exchanged accounts among women. As the expert mentioned urging her pupils not to freeze when groped, she learned about firsthand incidents, such as one where a woman was assaulted twice during a holy journey. In a similar vein, accounts of fighting back—like beating up a assailant in a club—underscore a increasing worldwide movement of women refusing to stay silent.
Perhaps this event will mark a turning point for Mexican women. “For about a decade, we’ve been breaking the silence, but it’s incredibly difficult,” the sociologist stated. “A lot of women are embarrassed, but now we can discuss it with more freedom.” She routinely discusses with her class the precautions she employs when leaving home, such as considering clothing to prevent unwanted advances. She asks a query to her male students: “Did you ever thought about that?” The answer is always no.
Now, with the leader’s violation captured on film and viewed worldwide, will men in Mexico start to think differently? The sociologist urges all: “It’s essential to harness the anger!”
One thing is clear: The individuals who fight back leave a lasting impression.
An avid hiker and nature photographer with a passion for exploring the Italian Alps and sharing travel insights.
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