The recent groping incident involving Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum has sparked international outrage while revealing a disturbing global pattern of violence and discrimination faced by women in political life.
A Pattern of Political Violence
The brief but deeply unsettling encounter, where a drunken man attempted to kiss President Sheinbaum on the neck and grope her, lasted mere seconds but resonated across Mexico and beyond. For researchers tracking women's political participation, the incident was shocking yet depressingly familiar.
Zeina Hilal of the Inter-Parliamentary Union described the attack as part of a clear pattern affecting female politicians worldwide. "It's really an illustration of what women in politics are facing," she stated, highlighting how such violence specifically targets women because of their gender.
A 2016 survey by the global organisation revealed alarming statistics: 82% of female politicians reported experiencing psychological violence, including sexist remarks and intimidating behaviour, while 44% received death threats or threats of rape or beatings. One in five women reported physical violence including being slapped, pushed or struck.
Systemic Discrimination and Its Consequences
Recent research confirms that female politicians face attacks regardless of their performance in office. A 2023 Italian study examining over a decade of data from local mayors in 7,500 municipalities found female mayors were almost three times more likely to receive attacks than their male counterparts.
Gianmarco Daniele, an associate professor at the University of Milan who co-authored the study, explained the concerning pattern: "Men are attacked more when they perform badly, while women are attacked no matter what they do." This discrimination-driven backlash has tangible consequences, with attacked women less likely to run for re-election.
The violence represents a broader challenge to women's presence in politics, according to Adriana Marin, a lecturer in international relations at Coventry University. "It isn't random or incidental," she emphasised. "It targets women precisely because they are entering spaces historically dominated and policed by men."
Online Abuse and Democratic Consequences
The digital realm amplifies these challenges, with female politicians facing particularly vicious online harassment. Research shows that while male politicians receive criticism focused on policy, attacks on women tend to be more personal, sexist and vitriolic, often mentioning family members and physical characteristics.
Inessa De Angelis, a University of Toronto researcher, noted this creates a double burden: "It's the kinds of comments that really make them question why they are in politics and undermine their ability to do their job."
The cumulative effect is driving experienced politicians from public life. Sweden's Anna-Karin Hatt and her predecessor Annie Lööf both left politics citing constant threats and harassment. Similar patterns have emerged in the UK and Canada, where female MPs have spoken out about the "vile abuse" threatening to deter talented women from political careers.
As Hilal from the Inter-Parliamentary Union pointedly asked: "If you wouldn't accept it in other workplaces, why would it be acceptable in political institutions?" The answer, experts warn, could determine the future of inclusive democracy worldwide.
