🔗 Share this article

“Machismo in Mexico is so pervasive that not one the head of state is protected,” stated a professor and feminist, expressing a feeling shared by numerous women across the country. This comes after a widely circulated footage showed a intoxicated man groping the country’s first female president as she strolled from the National Palace to the department of education. Sheinbaum, who has pressed charges against the perpetrator, commented at a media conference: “If they do this to the leader, what occurs to every other women in the nation?”

Unprecedented Position Highlights on Pervasive Gender-Based Violence

The president’s unprecedented position has turned this into a teaching moment in a culture where unwanted advances and physical violation on public spaces and public transport are frequently accepted and not taken seriously. Meanwhile, rival factions have alleged the assault was orchestrated to shift focus from the recently murder of a local mayor, Carlos Manzo. Yet, the majority of women know that gender-based aggression doesn’t need staged—research indicate that half of Mexican women have experienced it at one time or another in their lifetimes.

Balancing Accessibility and Safety

The president, similar to her predecessor, is recognized for mixing with the public, greeting people, and posing for selfies. She was such an interaction that she was groped. “This is a fragile equilibrium between being safe and being close to the public,” explained a sociologist specializing in cultural studies. For a woman leader, it’s a stark reminder that frequently face no-win situations.

Those raised in a very traditional manner where patriarchal structure are normalized, a woman such as the president, who is a academic and a progressive, represents all that macho men in the country despise,” the sociologist explained.

Common Stories of Assault and Resistance

Sexual assault is not unique to this nation, naturally. Discussing the leader’s experience unleashed a wave of memories and shared accounts among women. As Cardona spoke about urging her students to react when groped, she heard about personal experiences, such as a case where a woman was assaulted twice during a holy journey. Similarly, stories of fighting back—like beating up a groper in a club—highlight a increasing worldwide movement of women refusing to stay silent.

Shattering Taboos and Embracing Anger

Maybe this incident will mark a turning point for Mexican women. “We have been breaking the silence, but it’s incredibly difficult,” Cardona remarked. “A lot of women feel embarrassed, but now we are able to talk about it with more freedom.” The expert routinely discusses with her class the measures she takes when leaving home, such as considering attire to avoid unwanted advances. She asks a query to her male students: “Did you ever thought about that?” Their response is always no.

Today, after the leader’s violation recorded on video and viewed globally, can Mexican men begin to reconsider? Cardona urges everyone: “It’s essential to harness the anger!”

One thing is evident: The individuals who fight back make their assailants remember.