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“Machismo in the nation is so pervasive that not one the president is safe,” declared a professor and feminist, expressing a sentiment shared by numerous women across the country. This comes after a widely circulated footage showed a drunk man molesting the country’s first female president as she strolled from the presidential residence to the education ministry. The president, who has filed a complaint against the assailant, remarked at a media conference: “If they do this to the president, what happens to every other women in the country?”

Historic Position Sheds Light on Pervasive Gender-Based Violence

Sheinbaum’s unprecedented position has turned this into a learning opportunity in a culture where unwanted advances and assault on streets and buses and trains are frequently normalized and not taken seriously. At the same time, rival factions have alleged the assault was orchestrated to divert attention from the recent assassination of a local mayor, a critic of organized crime. Yet, most women understand that sexual violence doesn’t need staged—research indicate that half 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 recognized for mixing with the public, greeting people, and taking photos. She was one such interaction that she was assaulted. “It’s a fragile balance between ensuring security and being close to the people,” noted Ishtar Cardona. As a woman leader, it’s a stark realization that frequently face no-win situations.

“For people brought up in a deeply conservative manner where patriarchal structure are accepted, a female leader such as the president, who is a scientist and a progressive, represents everything macho men in Mexico despise,” Cardona elaborated.

Shared Stories of Violation and Fighting Back

Gender-based violence is not unique to Mexico, of course. Talking about the president’s ordeal unleashed a wave of memories and exchanged stories among female individuals. When the expert spoke about urging her students to react when groped, she learned about personal experiences, such as one where a woman was violated twice during a holy journey. Similarly, accounts of fighting back—like beating up a groper in a club—underscore a increasing worldwide movement of women rejecting to remain passive.

Breaking Silence and Embracing Anger

Perhaps this incident will represent a critical moment for women across Mexico. “For about a decade, we’ve been challenging the silence, but it’s incredibly difficult,” Cardona stated. “A lot of women are embarrassed, but now we can discuss it with more freedom.” She routinely shares with her students the measures she employs when leaving home, such as thinking about attire to avoid unwanted advances. She poses a question to her male pupils: “Have you ever considered about that?” The answer is always no.

Today, after the president’s assault recorded on video and viewed globally, can Mexican men begin to think differently? Cardona urges everyone: “It’s essential to embrace the outrage!”

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