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.

The Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, hereinafter referred to as “the Government”, and the United Nations Population Fund, hereinafter referred to as “UNFPA”, are in mutual agreement to the content of the Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP) and accept their respective responsibilities in the implementation of the Second Country Programme.

Since 2003,UNFPA Timor-Leste has supported governmental andnongovernmental organizations activities to address population issues and hasstrongly promoted reproductive rights and gender equality as key elements to  achieve human rights and human dignity. Key activiti es and achievements include support to the 2004 and 2010 population and housing censuses;development, advocacy and approval of the law against domestic violence and approval of a national action plan on gender-based violence;

standardization of the midwifery curriculum at the National University of Timor - Leste;and  revision of the national reproductive health strategy.