It’s not a secret that violence against women is one of the pandemics that continues in Mexico to this day. Macho declarations made by Senator Samuel García to his wife, Mariana Rodriguez, are just the latest example. 

As it can be seen in an Instagram live video, García accuses his wife of “showing off” her leg, arguing he got married with her for his own pleasure and not others. 

“I married you for me, not so you can go around showing off,” he said.

The video portrays one of the many micro gender aggressions most women in Mexico have to deal with. However, more than García’s comments, what’s most damning is Mariana’s reaction to them. 

Instead of saying something, she asks for forgiveness. This is followed by a scared face that already knows the repercussion acts like these can carry.

The fact that García’s comments were said in a public space, such as an Instagram live, is also concerning. 

The casual tone with which the Senator made them, left people wondering about the frequency at which they occur. If comments like these were made publicly in front of over 13,000 viewers, how much further would the aggressions go when alone? 

As a result of the video and the inappropriate comments, the movement #YoEnseñoLoQueQuiera (I can show whatever I want to show) went viral.

The photos posted on social media followed by the hashtag #YoEnseñoLoQueQuiera are a reminder to the world that women are free to decide for themselves regarding their bodies.

The aim of the movement is to highlight the importance of these types of microaggressions which, however minimal they may seem, normalize violence against women and reinforce patterns that diminish their worth.

According to statistics, in Mexico, on average, 10 women die every day from femicide and 60% of those murders are committed by their partners or relatives.

Later the same day, García posted a video recognizing his fault and asking for forgiveness. 

“No one taught me how to be a feminist...my family knows I’m not a macho,” was his argument, as if his previous comments weren't enough to show otherwise.

As if COVID-19 wasn’t enough, the Senator’s inappropriate comments are a clear example of another pandemic Mexico has to deal with that, for years, has been invisible.