IV 
115TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 584 
Recognizing the International Day of Rural Women on October 15, 2017, 
in celebration of women farmers around the world. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
OCTOBER 24, 2017 
Ms. KAPTUR (for herself, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. WELCH, Ms. DELAURO, Mr. 
EVANS, Mr. KHANNA, Ms. NORTON, and Ms. PINGREE) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Af-
fairs 
RESOLUTION 
Recognizing the International Day of Rural Women on Octo-
ber 15, 2017, in celebration of women farmers around 
the world. 
Whereas rural women make up over one-quarter of the total 
world population, represent approximately 43 percent of 
the agricultural labor force, and play a critical role in ag-
ricultural productivity, both in terms of food security and 
economic security; 
Whereas women serve as the bedrock of society, feeding their 
families, neighbors, and countrymen, and are important 
role models for younger generations; 
Whereas women-led agricultural efforts remain significant 
untapped potential for countries around the world, such 
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•HRES 584 IH 
as in Ukraine, which is the breadbasket of Europe and 
where Ukrainian women play an outsized role in agricul-
tural production, producing 80 percent of the country’s 
vegetables and fruit crops and 60 percent of the hogs 
consumed domestically; 
Whereas women’s involvement in rural projects leads to 
greater productivity, such as in Peru where women’s par-
ticipation in a rural road project led to more robust 
transportation networks and higher incomes; 
Whereas women farmers continue to face considerable soci-
etal limitations and constraints in their access to re-
sources, despite their important role in ensuring food se-
curity for their communities; 
Whereas technology and informative extension services in 
rural areas allow for more modern and effective farming 
practices, yet, for example in Zambia, many of the poor-
est farmers who are women were underserved in develop-
ment outreach; 
Whereas women farmers in China work over 50 percent of 
the country’s overall labor hours in agriculture, yet are 
excluded from signing contracts in farming schemes; 
Whereas giving rural women the power and ability to cul-
tivate nutritious and ample food positively impacts the 
physical and cognitive development of the next genera-
tion, leading to healthier and more productive citizenry; 
Whereas there is great opportunity for economic and societal 
development in any nation that shines a light on women 
farmers and empowers them to succeed as entrepreneurs; 
and 
Whereas food security and economic stability around the 
world require the success of women farmers and are cen-
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•HRES 584 IH 
tral to the interests of the United States: Now, therefore, 
be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) recognizes the International Day of Rural 
Women; and 
(2) calls on the people of the United States and 
interested groups to— 
(A) celebrate rural women as integral 
members of societies and economies around the 
world; 
(B) recognize women farmers for their role 
in feeding their families and fellow countrymen 
and for their productivity which helps maintain 
economic stability and stronger democracies; 
(C) ensure rural women have access to the 
tools and productive resources they need to en-
gage in entrepreneurship; and 
(D) recommit to reducing limitations, 
breaking down barriers to success, and prioriti-
zing initiatives that wholly support rural women 
farmers at the local level to ensure more stable 
and prosperous societies. 
Æ 
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