MDG Goal #3 is "Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women." The explanation is clear and concise: "Gender inequality starts early and keeps women at a disadvantage throughout their lives."

But why have a gendered focus in poverty alleviation? Why not simply target poverty and gender inequality in their separate spheres?

It's no secret that MFIs often deliberately seek out women clients. MFI Groups like Opportunity International , Promujer, Trickle Up, and Grameen Bank (96% women clients) all note that see great impact when they invest in women. Probably an overriding reason for MFI selectively choosing its clientele is that women "have proven to be very good credit risks with high repayment ratios."

Furthermore, women are often the most impoverished members of developing societies, so raising their income and access to services therefore will have the greatest overall economic impact on poverty.