Fundasaun Alola is proud to have initiated this research project on an issue of fundamental importance and relevance to the lives of women and their families in Timor-Leste. My special thanks go to Suzanne Belton and the other authors for agreeing to take on the challenge of headingup this project and for bringing to their work a wealth of experience of researching maternal and reproductive health in other countries in the region. UNFPA’s support of th is project is also greatly appreciated.