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“Machismo in Mexico is so deeply rooted that not one the head of state is safe,” declared a professor and feminist, expressing a sentiment shared by many women across the country. This follows after a viral video showed a drunk man groping Claudia Sheinbaum as she strolled from the presidential residence to the education ministry. Sheinbaum, who has filed a complaint against the assailant, commented at a press briefing: “If they do this to the leader, what happens to every other women in the country?”

Unprecedented Position Sheds Light on Pervasive Sexual Harassment

The president’s historic position has turned this into a teaching moment in a culture where unwanted advances and assault on streets and public transport are frequently accepted and dismissed. Meanwhile, political opponents have claimed the incident was staged to shift focus from the recent murder of a local mayor, Carlos Manzo. However, most women understand that sexual violence doesn’t need staged—research indicate that 50% of Mexican women have faced it at one time or another in their lives.

Navigating Public Engagement and Safety

The president, similar to her preceding leader, is recognized for mixing with the public, greeting people, and posing for selfies. It was during such an interaction that she was groped. “It’s a fragile balance between being safe and maintaining proximity to the people,” explained Ishtar Cardona. As a female president, it’s a stark reminder that you often can’t win.

“For people brought up in a very traditional way where patriarchal structure are normalized, a female leader such as the president, who is a academic and a leftist, embodies everything traditional males in the country despise,” Cardona elaborated.

Common Stories of Violation and Fighting Back

Gender-based violence is not unique to Mexico, naturally. Talking about the president’s experience opened a wave of recollections and exchanged accounts among female individuals. When the expert mentioned urging her students to react when groped, she heard about personal experiences, such as one where a woman was assaulted twice during a holy journey. Similarly, accounts of fighting back—like beating up a groper in a club—underscore a growing global trend of females refusing to stay silent.

Shattering Silence and Channeling Outrage

Perhaps this incident will mark a turning point for Mexican women. “We have been breaking the taboo, but it’s very tough,” Cardona remarked. “A lot of women feel embarrassed, but today we can discuss it with more freedom.” She routinely shares with her class the measures she takes when going out, such as considering clothing to avoid harassment. And she asks a query to her male students: “Have you ever considered about that?” The answer is always no.

Today, with the leader’s assault captured on film and viewed globally, will men in Mexico start to think differently? Cardona urges all: “It’s essential to harness the outrage!”

A key point is clear: The individuals who resist leave a lasting impression.