Paraguay’s National Postal Directorate of Paraguay (Dinacopa) has officially put into circulation a new series of commemorative postage stamps. The collection, titled “The Paraguayan Woman, a symbol of courage and tenderness”, consists of 9,000 stamps in total. The new stamp collection, released through the directorate’s Philatelic Advisory service, aims to celebrate the vital and multifaceted role that women have played throughout the nation’s history.
The collection serves as a national tribute, capturing different aspects of female strength and influence within Paraguayan society. It is the first postal issue released by the entity in 2026, and features original artwork to convey its central theme.
A tribute in three distinct designs
The collection features three unique designs, each with a different monetary value and a specific symbolic representation. The ₲10,000 (approximately US$1.65) stamp honours the woman as a steadfast guardian of culture. This design specifically evokes the ancestral wisdom and living traditions of Paraguay. It accomplishes this through the symbolic figure of a chipera (a traditional vendor of cheese bread), who represents not just a culinary tradition but also the continuity of cultural knowledge passed down through generations.
The ₲9,000 stamp shifts its focus to the intimate sphere, celebrating the woman as a caregiver who embodies tenderness. The artwork scenically portrays the profound connection between a mother and her child. It visualises the universal themes of unconditional love, dedicated protection, and the crucial role of mothers in transmitting core values to the next generation, thereby shaping the moral fabric of society.
Finally, the series is completed by the ₲8,000 stamp, which presents the woman as a pillar of the nation, the one who sustains and uplifts the country itself. The graphic illustrates the fortitude, resistance, and immense sacrifice of Paraguayan women, particularly during the most difficult chapters of national history. This stamp is a direct tribute to their role in the reconstruction of the country, acknowledging their strength as the bedrock upon which hope was rebuilt.
The artist behind the new stamp collection
The evocative artworks featured on these stamps are the creations of plastic artist Raquel Ruiz. She graciously provided her works for reproduction in this significant postal issue. Her art provides the visual narrative for the collection’s theme, translating abstract concepts of courage, tenderness, and resilience into compelling imagery that resonates with the public.
During the official launch ceremony, the general director of Dinacopa, Nidia Rosa Lépez, spoke about the profound historical significance of the tribute. She emphasised the foundational role of women in the very survival and rebirth of the Paraguayan nation.
A legacy of national reconstruction
In her address, Lépez provided historical context for the deep-seated respect for women that the stamps aim to reflect. Her words referenced one of the most defining periods in Paraguayan history.
“After the devastating War of the Triple Alliance, when the homeland seemed broken by pain and loss, it was the Paraguayan women who once again raised the foundations of the nation,” Lépez stated. “With silent sacrifice, with tireless work and with infinite love for their land and their family, they rebuilt homes, fields and hopes.”
Lépez’s remarks allude to the aftermath of the brutal 19th-century conflict, which left the nation with a severely depleted male population. Consequently, women were instrumental in the immense task of national recovery, a role the new stamp collection seeks to formally acknowledge and commemorate for a new generation.
Recognising dedicated service
In addition to the launch of the new stamp collection, the event also included a ceremony to honour current employees. Reinforcing the day’s theme, a group of mothers who work for the Paraguayan Post Office received certificates of recognition for their many years of dedicated service to the postal entity. This gesture connected the historical tribute with the contemporary contributions of women within the organisation itself, bringing the theme of appreciation into the present day.
Recently, the Paraguayan Post Office launched a postcard collection to showcase national heritage.
