spend the grant on working capital and women on equipment. The gender gap is largest when male-dominated sectors are … findings show greater returns among men than among women; indeed, returns were not different from zero for women. The authors … explore different explanations for the lower returns among female owners, and find no evidence that the gender gap is …

"Microfinance contracts have proven able to secure high rates of loan repayment in the face of limited liability and …, though, is at the heart of the promise that microfinance can deliver poverty reduction while not relying on ongoing subsidy … profitability is largely a function of minimizing cost. "--World Bank web site …