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“Machismo in Mexico is so pervasive that not even the president is protected,” declared Caterina Camastra, expressing a sentiment shared by many women throughout the country. This follows after a viral video showed a intoxicated man groping Claudia Sheinbaum as she strolled from the National Palace to the education ministry. Sheinbaum, who has pressed charges against the perpetrator, commented at a press briefing: “If they do this to the leader, what happens to every other women in the country?”

Unprecedented Situation Highlights on Widespread Sexual Harassment

The president’s unprecedented position has made this a learning opportunity in a society where unwanted advances and assault on public spaces and buses and trains are often normalized and not taken seriously. Meanwhile, rival factions have claimed the assault was staged to shift focus from the recently assassination of a local mayor, a critic of organized crime. Yet, the majority of women understand that sexual violence need not be manufactured—studies indicate that 50% of women in Mexico have faced it at some point in their lives.

Balancing Accessibility and Security

Sheinbaum, similar to her predecessor, is known for mixing with the public, greeting people, and taking photos. She was one such encounter that she was assaulted. “It’s a fragile equilibrium between being safe and being close to the people,” explained a sociologist specializing in cultural studies. As a female president, it’s a stark reminder that frequently face no-win situations.

“For people raised in a very traditional manner where male-dominated systems are normalized, a woman like Sheinbaum, who is a scientist and a leftist, embodies everything traditional males in Mexico despise,” the sociologist explained.

Common Experiences of Assault and Fighting Back

Sexual assault is not limited to Mexico, naturally. Discussing the president’s experience opened a wave of memories and shared stories among women. As the expert mentioned advising her students to react when groped, she heard about personal incidents, such as a case where a individual was violated twice during a holy journey. In a similar vein, stories of resisting—like beating up a groper in a club—underscore a growing worldwide trend of women rejecting to stay silent.

Shattering Taboos and Channeling Outrage

Maybe this incident will mark a critical moment for women across Mexico. “For about a decade, we’ve been challenging the silence, but it’s very tough,” Cardona remarked. “Many women feel embarrassed, but now we are able to talk about it with more freedom.” She often shares with her class the measures she employs when going out, such as thinking about clothing to prevent harassment. She asks a question to her male students: “Did you ever thought about that?” The answer is invariably no.

Today, with the president’s assault recorded on video and viewed worldwide, will men in Mexico start to think differently? Cardona encourages everyone: “You have to harness the outrage!”

A key point is clear: Those who fight back leave a lasting impression.