A recent incident in which a drunken man attempted to kiss Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum on the neck and grope her has highlighted the darker side of sexism and harassment faced by women in politics. The brief but unsettling encounter sparked outrage across Mexico and beyond, as it laid bare what many women politicians face daily.
According to Zeina Hilal, an expert at the Inter-Parliamentary Union, this incident is not an isolated case but rather a symptom of a broader pattern of violence against women in politics. In 2016, a survey by her organization found that 82% of female politicians reported experiencing psychological violence, with 44% receiving death threats or being subjected to rape threats.
The findings suggest that women who speak out on issues like gender equality and human rights are disproportionately targeted by abuse. Younger women, those from minority backgrounds, and those who take a strong stance on these issues face higher rates of harassment.
Researchers have also found a stark discrepancy in the data: female politicians are nearly three times more likely to be attacked online or offline than their male counterparts, regardless of policy decisions or performance.
This violence is not just a matter of individual misconduct but an assertion of power over women who challenge longstanding gendered expectations. Online vitriol plays a significant role, with women facing sexist and vitriolic comments that target their personal characteristics and perceived abilities.
The impact of this violence cannot be overstated. Women politicians face a double burden: coping with online toxicity while also wrestling with the broader question of their place in politics. Departing politicians have warned that if action is not taken to address this issue, it will risk undermining the ability to have more equal and inclusive parliaments.
As Adriana Marin notes, "This dynamic targets women precisely because they are entering spaces historically dominated and policed by men." The assault of Sheinbaum serves as a public illustration of how women's presence in politics remains contested, conditional, and unwelcome.
According to Zeina Hilal, an expert at the Inter-Parliamentary Union, this incident is not an isolated case but rather a symptom of a broader pattern of violence against women in politics. In 2016, a survey by her organization found that 82% of female politicians reported experiencing psychological violence, with 44% receiving death threats or being subjected to rape threats.
The findings suggest that women who speak out on issues like gender equality and human rights are disproportionately targeted by abuse. Younger women, those from minority backgrounds, and those who take a strong stance on these issues face higher rates of harassment.
Researchers have also found a stark discrepancy in the data: female politicians are nearly three times more likely to be attacked online or offline than their male counterparts, regardless of policy decisions or performance.
This violence is not just a matter of individual misconduct but an assertion of power over women who challenge longstanding gendered expectations. Online vitriol plays a significant role, with women facing sexist and vitriolic comments that target their personal characteristics and perceived abilities.
The impact of this violence cannot be overstated. Women politicians face a double burden: coping with online toxicity while also wrestling with the broader question of their place in politics. Departing politicians have warned that if action is not taken to address this issue, it will risk undermining the ability to have more equal and inclusive parliaments.
As Adriana Marin notes, "This dynamic targets women precisely because they are entering spaces historically dominated and policed by men." The assault of Sheinbaum serves as a public illustration of how women's presence in politics remains contested, conditional, and unwelcome.
and yeah I know some ppl will say she shouldve just blocked him or walked away but come on, thats not the point... its about how common harassment is in politics & ppl dont take it seriously enough 
. women r already under so much scrutiny & pressure, do we really need to add sexism on top of that? 
and btw, what's with all this " women just need to be more assertive" nonsense? its not that simple... sometimes ppl are scared or intimidated, and then theres the online part 
where u cant even go anywhere without getting hate... its like, can't we just take harassment seriously & work towards creating a safer space for everyone? 
It's like, I get that some people might not agree with her views, but to resort to harassment and assault is completely unacceptable 
. And what really gets me is how common it is, apparently. 82% of female politicians experiencing psychological violence? That's just heartbreaking 
. I mean, I know we're living in a world where online toxicity can be overwhelming, but this is on a whole different level 
.
Women who speak out against sexism and misogyny are being targeted because they're challenging these long-standing norms. It's like, the system is trying to silence them, or at least make them feel uncomfortable enough to shut up 
.
Not only do they have to deal with online abuse and personal attacks, but they're also constantly fighting to be taken seriously as leaders 
. It's like, I get that we need more women in politics, but if we can't even create a safe space for them to operate, then what's the point? 
& can we talk about how messed up it is that women politicians have to deal w/ 3x more online/offline harassment than men? 
no way, it's about power & control. when women speak out against sexism/harassment, they're basically being told to shut up or face abuse. 
the fact that someone would try to grope a woman in power is just heartbreaking 
it's not just about the individual but also about the systemic issues that allow harassment to happen like online bullying and sexism 
Can't believe what's happening in Mexico right now! This dude trying to kiss the Prez on the neck? Come on, bro 
And it's not just the physical stuff, online vitriol is real too. Women face sexist comments and threats all the time, it's like they're under a microscope 24/7 
We need more women in politics and we need to support them when they face this kind of abuse. Otherwise, things will just keep getting worse 
. We need to create safe spaces for women in politics to exist without fear of harassment or violence. The impact on their ability to serve and participate in our democracy cannot be overstated 
.
this is so crazy the fact that these women politicians are going through this every single day is just insane I mean who tries to grope the president of Mexico? 
. I swear, it took me 20 minutes just to take one photo with my friends before we all got too full to eat anything 
. It's unacceptable that they have to deal with sexism and harassment on a daily basis. The fact that 82% of female politicians reported experiencing psychological violence is staggering 
. I think it's time for us to listen to the women who are being targeted and take their experiences seriously. 82% of female politicians experiencing psychological violence? That's insane 
. It's not just about individual misconduct, it's about creating a culture that tolerates this kind of behavior. We need to do better, period 
in 2025 we should know better by now, but clearly some people still need a slap on the wrist 
or a good dose of online outrage to take seriously 