The groping of Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum was more than just a personal assault

Machismo is fiercely resisting female empowerment in Latin America. When Claudia Sheinbaum — Mexico’s first woman president — was groped publicly during a recent walkabout, her calm response was powerful:

“If this happens to the president, where does that leave all the young women in our country?”

This statement resonated widely across Mexico and beyond, highlighting both the commonality of gendered harassment and the serious political implications in a society where even the most powerful woman can be publicly violated. Some dismissed the incident as a minor security failure, yet it reflects deeper machismo and misogyny that continue to influence politics in Latin America.

Gender parity progress and political representation

Viewed narrowly, Latin America seems to be advancing on gender equality. Over the past 20 years, several countries have adopted some of the world’s most ambitious gender-parity laws. Nations such as Mexico, Costa Rica, and Argentina have passed sweeping reforms mandating equal representation on party lists and in public office.

Latin America consistently ranks among regions with the highest female representation in national legislatures.
The region has produced prominent female heads of state, including Claudia Sheinbaum in Mexico, Michelle Bachelet in Chile, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner in Argentina, and Dilma Rousseff in Brazil.

Enduring challenge of machismo

Despite legislative advances, the persistence of machismo and misogyny still shapes political and social realities, as demonstrated by the harassment incident involving President Sheinbaum. This event underscores the gap between formal progress and lived experience for many women.

Author’s summary: The public harassment of Mexico's first female president highlights the persistent machismo in Latin America despite significant legislative strides toward gender equality.

The Conversation — 2025-11-07