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Male chauvinism in Mexico is so deeply rooted that not one the head of state is safe,” stated Caterina Camastra, expressing a sentiment echoed by many women throughout the nation. This comes 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 perpetrator, commented at a media conference: “When this happens to the president, what occurs to every other women in the country?”

Unprecedented Situation Sheds Light on Pervasive Sexual Harassment

Sheinbaum’s historic role has made this a learning opportunity in a culture where sexual harassment and assault on public spaces and buses and trains are often normalized and dismissed. Meanwhile, rival factions have claimed the incident was orchestrated to shift focus from the recent murder of a local mayor, a critic of organized crime. However, the majority of women know that sexual violence need not be manufactured—studies indicate that 50% of Mexican women have experienced it at one time or another in their lives.

Navigating Accessibility and Safety

Sheinbaum, like her predecessor, is known for mixing with the public, greeting people, and posing for selfies. It was during one such encounter that she was groped. “It’s a fragile balance between being safe and maintaining proximity to the people,” explained Ishtar Cardona. For a female president, it’s a stark realization that frequently can’t win.

“For people brought up in a deeply conservative way where patriarchal structure are normalized, a woman like Sheinbaum, who is a scientist and a leftist, embodies all that macho men in Mexico hate,” the sociologist elaborated.

Common Stories of Assault and Resistance

Sexual assault is not unique to Mexico, of course. Talking about the leader’s experience opened a wave of memories and shared stories among women. As Cardona mentioned urging her pupils not to freeze when groped, she heard about firsthand experiences, such as a case where a woman was assaulted twice during a religious pilgrimage. Similarly, accounts of fighting back—like beating up a groper in a nightspot—highlight a growing global movement of females refusing to remain passive.

Breaking Silence and Channeling Anger

Perhaps this event will mark a critical moment for Mexican women. “We have been breaking the silence, but it’s incredibly difficult,” the sociologist remarked. “A lot of women are ashamed, but now we can discuss it with greater openness.” The expert routinely discusses with her students the measures she employs when leaving home, such as considering clothing to prevent harassment. And she poses a question to her male pupils: “Have you ever thought about that?” The answer is invariably no.

Now, after the president’s assault captured on film and viewed globally, will men in Mexico start to think differently? Cardona encourages all: “It’s essential to harness the anger!”

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