Head of State Groped in Broad Daylight, Sparking Countrywide Protest from Mexican Women
“Machismo in the nation is so pervasive that not even the head of state is safe,” declared a professor and feminist, expressing a feeling shared by many women throughout the country. This comes after a widely circulated footage showed a intoxicated man molesting Claudia Sheinbaum as she strolled from the National Palace to the department of education. The president, who has pressed charges against the assailant, commented at a media conference: “If they do this to the president, what occurs to all the other women in the country?”
Historic Situation Sheds Light on Widespread Sexual Harassment
Sheinbaum’s historic role has turned this into a learning opportunity in a society where unwanted advances and assault on public spaces and buses and trains are often normalized and dismissed. At the same time, 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 sexual violence need not be manufactured—studies indicate that 50% of Mexican women have experienced it at some point in their lifetimes.
Balancing Public Engagement and Security
The president, similar to her preceding leader, is known for wading into crowds, greeting people, and posing for selfies. She was one such encounter that she was assaulted. “It’s a delicate balance between being safe and being close to the people,” explained Ishtar Cardona. As a woman leader, it’s a stark reminder that frequently face no-win situations.
“For people raised in a very traditional way where patriarchal structure are accepted, a female leader such as the president, who is a academic and a progressive, embodies everything traditional males in Mexico despise,” the sociologist explained.
Common Experiences of Assault and Fighting Back
Gender-based violence is not limited to Mexico, of course. Talking about the leader’s experience unleashed a wave of memories and shared stories among women. As Cardona mentioned urging her pupils not to freeze when groped, she learned about firsthand experiences, such as one where a woman was violated on two occasions during a holy journey. In a similar vein, accounts of resisting—like beating up a assailant in a nightspot—underscore a increasing global movement of females rejecting to stay silent.
Breaking Taboos and Embracing Anger
Maybe this incident will represent a turning point for women across Mexico. “For about a decade, we’ve been breaking the silence, but it’s very tough,” the sociologist remarked. “A lot of women feel ashamed, but today we are able to talk about it with more freedom.” She routinely shares with her students the precautions she takes when leaving home, such as considering attire to prevent harassment. And she asks a question to her male students: “Did you ever thought about that?” Their response is always no.
Today, with the president’s assault recorded on film and seen worldwide, will men in Mexico start to reconsider? The sociologist urges everyone: “You have to embrace the anger!”
One thing is clear: Those who fight back make their assailants remember.
