At 23 years of age, Dahiana Elizabeth Peña Colina, a determined woman in CIMEFOR, has made history by joining the first female intake of the Naval edition of Paraguay’s prestigious military instruction programme. CIMEFOR stands for the Military Instruction Centre for Students and Formative Reserve Official. This transformative journey, marked by grit, purpose and a strong sense of sisterhood, stands as a compelling testament to the growing presence and power of women in military spaces in Paraguay.
Born in Asunción, Dahiana grew up inspired by her father’s military experiences. A former CIMEFOR trainee, he passed on stories of discipline and camaraderie that sparked her lifelong dream of wearing the uniform. Although she was unable to enter the Mariscal Francisco Solano López Military Academy in 2024, due to age restrictions, her ambition did not falter. Just weeks later, she discovered the Naval CIMEFOR call, and enrolled immediately.
A demanding, yet transformative experience
The journey in Naval CIMEFOR is both physically and mentally demanding. “Each day was exhausting: marches, exercises, and strict formations. There was no room to drop the pace,” Dahiana recalls. Yet, the toughest part, she explains, was the mental discipline required to remain fully present and strong even in moments of fatigue. “If one faltered, we all felt it. We pushed each other to rise together.”
The Naval CIMEFOR began on 2 January 2025, offering intense and holistic military training, including drill practices, aikido (self-defence), shooting, physical conditioning, and naval knowledge such as understanding the layout and operations of a military vessel. Dahiana and her fellow trainees even boarded the gunboat to gain hands-on experience.
What set this experience apart for Dahiana was the deep sense of solidarity among the 39 women. “We were all different, yet we wove a support system built on trust and respect. It was a quiet promise not to let one another fall.”
Growth beyond the uniform
Dahiana’s efforts earned her an Honourable Mention as Best Comrade, a recognition of her proactive spirit and leadership. “I always tried to lift the mood when morale dropped. Whether through humour, or simply being present. I believe that positive energy was valued.”
Her family supported her from the outset, while friends and social media followers reacted with admiration and surprise. “Many did not imagine me in a military setting, but the encouragement I received was overwhelming.”
The experience left a lasting personal impact. “Today, I am more confident and centered. I have learnt to value teamwork, be more empathetic, and understand that discipline is not about blind obedience, but about overcoming one’s own limits.”
The voice of a woman in CIMEFOR
Dahiana’s message is the importance of women taking up space where they have long been absent. As a woman in CIMEFOR, she is part of a larger movement that challenges perceptions. “Some still say this is too hard for a woman. But I say: do not rely on second-hand stories. Go and live your own.”
She encourages other young women to pursue their aspirations boldly. “If your dream is real, then it is a matter of working for it, sweating for it, crying for it, and persisting. When there is true willpower, no limit is real.”
Training, leadership, and breaking new ground
Dahiana does not intend to stop here. Her next goals include advanced tactical courses, and becoming a monitor for future intakes. She wants to support, and guide other women in CIMEFOR, continuing to build the pathway for female leadership within the military. “I want to be part of the changes that open doors for more women.”
If she had to summarise her time in CIMEFOR with one phrase, she chooses: “Insist, persist and never give up.” It captures her belief that with consistency, teamwork and purpose, the impossible can become one’s proudest achievement.
Dahiana Peña’s story as a trailblazing woman in CIMEFOR proves that courage and determination can open doors once closed. Her journey is a powerful reminder that the uniform may not distinguish gender, but it demands values. And in her, those values are alive and thriving.
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