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“Machismo in the nation is so deeply rooted that not one the head of state is safe,” declared a professor and feminist, voicing a sentiment shared by many women across the nation. This follows after a widely circulated footage showed a drunk man groping the country’s first female president as she walked from the National Palace to the education ministry. Sheinbaum, who has filed a complaint against the perpetrator, remarked at a press briefing: “When this happens to the president, what occurs to all the other women in the country?”

Unprecedented Situation Sheds Light on Pervasive Sexual Harassment

The president’s unprecedented position has turned this into a learning opportunity in a culture where sexual harassment and physical violation on public spaces and public transport are frequently normalized and dismissed. At the same time, rival factions have claimed the incident 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 doesn’t need manufactured—research indicate that 50% of women in Mexico have experienced it at one time or another in their lifetimes.

Balancing Public Engagement and Safety

Sheinbaum, similar to her preceding leader, is recognized for mixing with the public, greeting people, and posing for selfies. She was such an interaction that she was assaulted. “This is a delicate equilibrium between ensuring security and maintaining proximity to the public,” explained a sociologist specializing in cultural studies. For a female president, it’s a stark reminder that you often can’t win.

Those brought up in a deeply conservative manner where patriarchal structure are normalized, a female leader such as the president, who is a scientist and a leftist, embodies all that macho men in Mexico hate,” Cardona elaborated.

Shared Experiences of Violation and Resistance

Sexual assault is not unique to Mexico, of course. Discussing the president’s experience unleashed a wave of recollections and exchanged stories among women. As Cardona mentioned advising her pupils not to freeze when groped, she heard about personal experiences, such as one where a woman was violated twice during a holy journey. Similarly, accounts of resisting—like beating up a groper in a club—highlight a growing worldwide movement of women rejecting to remain passive.

Shattering Taboos and Channeling Anger

Maybe this event will mark a turning point for women across Mexico. “For about a decade, we’ve been challenging the taboo, but it’s very tough,” Cardona stated. “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 takes when leaving home, such as considering clothing to prevent unwanted advances. And she poses a query to her male students: “Did you ever considered about that?” The answer is invariably no.

Now, after the president’s assault recorded on video and seen worldwide, will Mexican men start to reconsider? The sociologist urges everyone: “You have to embrace the anger!”

A key point is clear: Those who fight back make their assailants remember.