Guadalajara Mayor Ismael del Toro launched a campaign last week that aims to tackle the harassment of women in public places.
Unfortunately, sexual harassment on public transport, in bars and clubs, and in parks and on the street is a routine and often relentless experience for Mexican women and girls.
Del Toro recognizes that greater efforts are required to create a culture in which sexual harassment does not become normalized.
“All our efforts are focussed on ensuring that girls and women in Guadalajara are able to live freely in a climate free of violence,” the mayor said.
A chief objective of the campaign is to stress to citizens that public sexual harassment of any kind – including wolf-whistles, catcalls, soliciting intercourse – carries financial sanctions and detention of up to 36 hours. (Depending on the offense, criminal charges may also be filed.) It also seeks to raise awareness of the issue and underscore the message that sexual harassment of women is never acceptable behavior.
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