Body Mapping to Explore Perceptions of Sexual and Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology Across Languages and Cultures : An Example From Timor-Leste

Maternal death remains a major public health challenge in many parts of the world, particularly in low-middle-income nations (Alkema et al., 2016). Multiple global agencies have devised strategies focused on decreasing rates of maternal death and improving maternal health, for example, the International Conference Population and Development “Programme of Action” (United Nations Population Fund, 1994), the Sustainable Development Goals (United Nations, 2015), and the Ending Preventable Maternal Mortality Strategy (World Health Organization, 2015). One of the consistent recommendations and objectives within these global strategies is the empowerment and improved autonomy for women. Global research has demonstrated that women who are empowered and more able to exercise autonomy over decisions related to their sexual and reproductive lives experience lower fertility (Upadhyay et al., 2014), use contraception at higher rates (Ahmed, Creanga, Gillespie, & Tsui, 2010), experience fewer unintended pregnancies (Upadhyay et al., 2014), have more space between pregnancies (Upadhyay et al., 2014), and engage more with antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal health services (Ahmed et al., 2010). These sexual and reproductive health outcomes may all help improve women’s health and lessen her risk of dying from pregnancy or birth-related causes (Osamor & Grady, 2016; Senarath & Gunawardena, 2009).

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