UAEM student confronts Noroña over misogyny and austerity

Morena Senator Gerardo Fernández Noroña was confronted by a student from the Autonomous University of the State of Mexico (UAEM) during a meeting in the Senate. In a firm voice, the young woman questioned him about his comments toward Lilly Téllez, accusing him of misogyny, and challenged him to explain the alleged incongruity between preaching austerity and living in a 12 million peso house in Tepoztlán.

Amid applause and murmurs, the student uttered a phrase that resonated throughout the room:

"You're touching on the subject of respect for women, and you're the first to be misogynistic and sexist. Where's your consistency?"

The statement recalled the episode in which Noroña allegedly told Lilly Téllez: "You're not here to debate, you're here to wash dishes." Although the legislator denied having said such a remark, the young woman insisted that it had been reported in various media outlets.

The senator responded by denying the accusations and defending his position. According to him, public austerity is not the same as personal austerity, and he emphasized that he has "no obligation" to lead an austere lifestyle in private. He also asserted that he grew up surrounded by women and deeply respects his mother and grandmother, dismissing misogynistic attitudes.

The exchange between the university student and the Morena member went viral on social media, adding to the criticism Noroña has faced in recent years. The discussion touches on two sensitive issues for public opinion: the coherence between discourse and actions, and misogyny in Mexican politics.

With this episode, Fernández Noroña is once again at the center of political debate, precisely at a time when Morena and its most visible figures are being evaluated under public scrutiny.