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“Machismo in Mexico is so deeply rooted that not one the president is safe,” declared Caterina Camastra, expressing a feeling shared by many women throughout the country. This follows after a widely circulated footage showed a drunk man groping the country’s first female president as she strolled from the presidential residence to the department of education. The president, who has filed a complaint against the perpetrator, commented at a media conference: “When this happens to the leader, what happens to all the other women in the country?”

Historic Situation Sheds Light on Pervasive Gender-Based Violence

Sheinbaum’s historic position has made this a teaching moment in a culture where unwanted advances and assault on public spaces and public transport are frequently accepted and not taken seriously. At the same time, political opponents have claimed the assault was staged to divert attention from the recent assassination of a city leader, a critic of organized crime. However, the majority of women understand that sexual violence need not be manufactured—research indicate that half of women in Mexico have faced it at one time or another in their lives.

Navigating Public Engagement and Safety

Sheinbaum, like her preceding leader, is known for wading into crowds, greeting people, and posing for selfies. It was during such an encounter that she was groped. “It’s a delicate balance between ensuring security and being close to the people,” explained a sociologist specializing in cultural studies. As a female president, it’s a stark reminder that you often can’t win.

“For people raised in a very traditional manner where male-dominated systems are accepted, a woman such as the president, who is a academic and a progressive, represents all that macho men in Mexico hate,” the sociologist elaborated.

Common Stories of Violation and Resistance

Sexual assault is not unique to Mexico, naturally. Discussing the leader’s ordeal opened a wave of memories and exchanged accounts among female individuals. As the expert spoke about advising her pupils to react when assaulted, she heard about personal experiences, such as a case where a individual was violated twice during a holy journey. In a similar vein, accounts of resisting—like physically confronting a assailant in a club—highlight a increasing worldwide movement of females rejecting to stay silent.

Shattering Taboos and Embracing Anger

Perhaps this incident will mark a critical moment for Mexican women. “We have been breaking the silence, but it’s very tough,” Cardona remarked. “Many women are embarrassed, but now we can discuss it with greater openness.” The expert routinely shares with her class the precautions she takes when going out, such as thinking about clothing to avoid harassment. She poses a question to her male pupils: “Have you ever considered about that?” The answer is always no.

Now, with the leader’s assault recorded on film and seen globally, can men in Mexico start to think differently? Cardona encourages all: “You have to harness the outrage!”

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