This report reviews the first meeting of international fistula experts in London in July 2001, which launched this initiative and focused on concrete actions to alleviate the suffering of affected women. It is our sincerest hope that together we can work to make fistula as rare in Africa and in all developing countries as it is in the industrialized world. We know that new partners will join us in this worthwhile initiative.

The report documents a March 2006 workshop to discuss the role of midwives in achieving MDG 5 (improving maternal health). The workshop, the first of its kind for UNFPA, brought together midwives from developing and industrialized countries with midwifery advisors and UNFPA staff and partners to discuss barriers to the development of a robust midwifery workforce. Although many of the barriers are well known, participants called attention to the underlying issue of gender inequality.