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“Machismo in Mexico is so deeply rooted that not even the head of state is protected,” declared a professor and feminist, expressing a sentiment shared by many women throughout the country. This comes after a widely circulated footage showed a drunk man molesting Claudia Sheinbaum as she walked from the National Palace to the department of education. Sheinbaum, who has filed a complaint against the assailant, remarked at a press briefing: “If they do this to the leader, what occurs to every other women in the nation?”

Unprecedented Position Sheds Light on Pervasive Gender-Based Violence

Sheinbaum’s historic position has turned this into a learning opportunity in a culture where sexual harassment and assault on streets and buses and trains are often accepted and dismissed. At the same time, political opponents have alleged the incident was orchestrated to shift focus from the recent assassination of a city leader, Carlos Manzo. Yet, most women understand that gender-based aggression doesn’t need staged—studies indicate that half of Mexican women have faced it at some point in their lifetimes.

Balancing Accessibility and Safety

Sheinbaum, similar to her predecessor, is recognized for wading into crowds, greeting people, and posing for selfies. It was during such an interaction that she was assaulted. “This is a delicate balance between ensuring security and maintaining proximity to the public,” explained Ishtar Cardona. For a woman leader, it’s a sobering reminder that frequently face no-win situations.

“For people raised in a very traditional manner where patriarchal structure are normalized, a female leader like Sheinbaum, who is a scientist and a leftist, embodies all that traditional males in Mexico despise,” Cardona explained.

Common Stories of Violation and Resistance

Gender-based violence is not unique to this nation, naturally. Talking about the leader’s ordeal opened a wave of recollections and shared accounts among female individuals. When the expert spoke about advising her students not to freeze when groped, she heard about firsthand incidents, such as one where a woman was assaulted twice during a holy journey. In a similar vein, accounts of resisting—like beating up a groper in a nightspot—underscore a increasing global movement of females rejecting to stay silent.

Breaking Silence and Embracing Outrage

Perhaps this incident will mark a turning point for women across Mexico. “For about a decade, we’ve been challenging the taboo, but it’s very tough,” the sociologist stated. “Many women feel embarrassed, but now we can discuss it with more freedom.” She routinely discusses with her students the measures she employs when going out, such as considering attire to prevent harassment. And she poses a question to her male students: “Have you ever considered about that?” The answer is always no.

Now, after the president’s assault captured on film and seen worldwide, will Mexican men begin to reconsider? Cardona encourages everyone: “It’s essential to harness the anger!”

One thing is clear: The individuals who fight back leave a lasting impression.