Located on the U.S.-Mexico border, Ciudad Juárez is one of the most dangerous cities in the world for females. Countless girls and women go missing each year, many never to be found again. In a city where females don’t feel safe leaving their homes alone, a small group of women step into the wrestling ring every weekend.
Life in this border city is marked by stark contrasts. The Trump Wall runs through the city center, dividing Juárez from El Paso, Texas—one of the world’s safest cities. While El Paso offers security, Juárez remains a place where survival is a daily struggle, and femicides are a constant threat. In this harsh environment, Lucha Libre—Mexican wrestling—symbolizes many of the city’s challenges, turning societal issues into a physical contest inside the ring.
The popular lower-class sport blends theatre, acrobatics, and real combat. Though it may seem like the wrestlers are just pretending to fight, the line between performance and raw reality is thin. Some matches even end in death. Of the 200 wrestlers in Juárez, only 15 are women. But their fight is much more than just a weekend event. In glittering costumes, these Luchadoras battle for respect and safety. They challenge societal norms and redefine what it means to be a woman. Following their example, a new generation of young girls steps into the spotlight of society, fighting for equality—both inside and outside the ring.
— Jana Margarete Schuler, a winner of the LensCulture Emerging Talent Awards 2024. Discover all 25 emerging talents here!
