THE Malawi army introduced its first women recruits this week after they completed a gruelling eight-month military training course. The 59 women trainees will graduate on Friday. Lieutenant Colonel McLoyd Chidzalo was enthusiastic about the trainees, who were accepted to the college after pressure from women’s rights activists who argued that women in the army should not be given “soft”, non-combative jobs only. Although the Malawian army is keen to recruit women, it does not have facilities for them. However, a female dormitory is under construction.