Few sub-Saharan African countries are on track to attain MDG5 by 2015. Although evidence-based interventions of proven efficiency are available, at low cost for most, programme implementation faces numerous challenges. This scientific symposium, sponsored by UNFPA, aims to create constructive and stimulating dialogue across disciplines so as to better equip maternal health programmes. It also aims to give visibility to little known research work done by many young and brilliant African social scientists.