InternationalMexico's President Turns Assault Into a Call to ActionDisclaimer: This story contains mentions of assault and groping. What's going on: A short, run-of-the-mill walk for Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, turned into an unsettling scene when a seemingly drunk man groped her in public and leaned in for a kiss — all caught on video. The clip has drawn attention to the daily harassment and assaults women face in Mexico and beyond. Yesterday, Sheinbaum announced she was pressing charges against the man, who was arrested. Sheinbaum said she felt a duty to speak out, especially at a time when sexual violence in the country largely goes unpunished. An estimated 91% of cases never lead to legal consequences, according to Bloomberg. She also called on Mexican states to reexamine their laws on assaults and harassment. What it means: As Sheinbaum put it: “If this is done to the president, what is going to happen to all of the young women in our country?” In Mexico, violence against women has been on the rise in recent years. Nearly one out of every two women there has endured some form of sexual aggression, according to one Mexican report. The sexual harassment and assault rates in the US are also alarmingly high. The incident also sparked questions about Sheinbaum’s security, but she brushed them off, saying she won’t add protection or change how she interacts with people. Related: An Exec Called Miss Mexico “Dumb” — Her Response Was Pure Perfection (USA Today) |