Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum has declared her intention to press charges against a man who groped her during a public appearance. Footage from the event shows the president being approached and harassed while she interacted with supporters near the National Palace in Mexico City. Following the incident, which left her visibly shaken, the offender has been arrested.
'If I don’t file a complaint, what will happen to other Mexican women? If they do this to the president, what will happen to all women in our country?' Sheinbaum asserted during a recent news conference. She recounted her own experiences with harassment, reinforcing her commitment to challenging such behaviors.
The incident underscores the broader issues of violence against women in Mexico, a country grappling with a high rate of gender-based violence and femicide, where an estimated 98% of such crimes remain unpunished. Women's rights activists are highlighting how the incident reflects entrenched machismo in society, where even a high-profile figure like the president is not exempt.
Sheinbaum has made it clear that her administration will pursue measures to combat gender-based violence, despite criticism for the current state of safety in the country. The incident also raises questions about the security protocols for politicians engaging directly with supporters, especially in light of recent violent attacks on elected officials. Despite these concerns, Sheinbaum has expressed no intent to alter her approach of maintaining close ties with the public.
'If I don’t file a complaint, what will happen to other Mexican women? If they do this to the president, what will happen to all women in our country?' Sheinbaum asserted during a recent news conference. She recounted her own experiences with harassment, reinforcing her commitment to challenging such behaviors.
The incident underscores the broader issues of violence against women in Mexico, a country grappling with a high rate of gender-based violence and femicide, where an estimated 98% of such crimes remain unpunished. Women's rights activists are highlighting how the incident reflects entrenched machismo in society, where even a high-profile figure like the president is not exempt.
Sheinbaum has made it clear that her administration will pursue measures to combat gender-based violence, despite criticism for the current state of safety in the country. The incident also raises questions about the security protocols for politicians engaging directly with supporters, especially in light of recent violent attacks on elected officials. Despite these concerns, Sheinbaum has expressed no intent to alter her approach of maintaining close ties with the public.
