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Male chauvinism 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 numerous women across the country. This comes after a viral video showed a drunk man molesting Claudia Sheinbaum as she walked from the presidential residence to the department of education. Sheinbaum, who has pressed charges against the perpetrator, commented at a media conference: “When this happens to the leader, what happens to all the other women in the nation?”

Unprecedented Situation Sheds Light on Pervasive Gender-Based Violence

Sheinbaum’s unprecedented role has turned this into a teaching moment in a society where sexual harassment and assault on public spaces and public transport are frequently normalized and dismissed. Meanwhile, political opponents have alleged the assault was staged to shift focus from the recently murder of a local mayor, a critic of organized crime. Yet, the majority of women know that sexual violence doesn’t need manufactured—research indicate that half of Mexican women have experienced it at one time or another in their lifetimes.

Balancing Public Engagement and Security

The president, like her predecessor, is recognized for wading into crowds, shaking hands, and posing for selfies. She was such an encounter that she was groped. “It’s a fragile equilibrium between being safe and being close to the people,” explained a sociologist specializing in cultural studies. For a woman leader, it’s a stark reminder that you often can’t win.

“For people raised in a very traditional manner where patriarchal structure are accepted, a woman such as the president, who is a scientist and a progressive, embodies all that macho men in the country despise,” the sociologist elaborated.

Common Stories of Assault and Fighting Back

Sexual assault is not unique to Mexico, of course. Discussing the leader’s experience opened a flood of recollections and shared accounts among women. When Cardona mentioned urging her pupils not to freeze when assaulted, she learned about firsthand incidents, such as one where a woman was violated twice during a religious pilgrimage. In a similar vein, accounts of fighting back—like physically confronting a assailant in a nightspot—underscore a growing worldwide movement of females rejecting to remain passive.

Shattering Taboos and Embracing Anger

Perhaps this incident will mark a turning point for Mexican women. “We have been breaking the silence, but it’s very tough,” Cardona stated. “A lot of women feel ashamed, but now we are able to talk about it with more freedom.” She often shares with her students the measures she employs when leaving home, such as thinking about attire to prevent unwanted advances. She poses a question to her male students: “Have you ever considered about that?” The answer is invariably no.

Today, after the leader’s assault recorded on film and viewed globally, will Mexican men start to think differently? The sociologist urges all: “It’s essential to harness the outrage!”

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