• Collect and analyse stock and flow data of single mothers from multiple censuses and surveys of the Department of Statistics (DOS) Malaysia. Based on the stock and flow data collected, identify a system for maintaining and updating a national register of single mothers in Malaysia
• Develop a conceptual framework and research design for a purposive survey on the causes, trends and patterns of single motherhood. A representative sample will be selected from the national register in consultation with DOS
• Analyse the data collected from the survey for the underlying causes, trends and patterns of single motherhood, taking into account cultural factors
• Compilation and evaluation of existing policies and programmes targeted at single mothers by the public and private sectors and civil society
• Identify and document best practices and case studies of policies and programmes to empower single mothers by the public and private sectors and civil society, nationally and internationally
• Expert workshops will be held with key stakeholders to discuss existing gaps in institutional support and identify new initiatives to empower single mothers.
• National workshop to discuss the draft National Action Plan to empower single mothers

In 2009, the project team conducted a national purposive survey which targeted 2500 respondents across Peninsular and East Malaysia. Working at a grassroots level, the team engaged with local single mother's associations, community leaders, as well as single mothers themselves, in order to get a better understanding of their predicament via in-depth interviews and dialogues.  The rich qualitative information from the interviews gave the project team substantive insight into the realities of single motherhood that would be invaluable in the development of the Plan of Action, with policies and programmes that would empower single mothers. 

The survey is currently completed and data analysis is underway, with findings to be tabled into a report to the government by the second quarter of 2010, which will serve as a basis for the National Action Plan.  Meanwhile, in-depth focus groups are being held nationwide, to glean more data.  

• Identification of trends and underlying causes of single motherhood as well as the socio-economic profile of single mothers, taking into account cultural factors
• Evaluation of the effectiveness of existing policies and programmes to address the needs of single mothers, noting the gaps and providing suggestions for suitable new initiatives
• National Action Plan to empower single mothers in Malaysia.