Philippine society today is undergoing crisis.  Violence is widespread and discrimination continues. In these difficult and trying situations, women run the greatest risks—they are, in fact, at the center of this social crisis.  On this note, we see the need for women to adopt a position of strength to respond to this crisis by way of consciousness-raising programs that educate them to the urgency of solidarity, linkage, and support system building.

      In an increasingly interdependent society, women are called upon to develop their potentials.  However, this seemed not possible where social conditions do not foster a climate in which a woman can develop herself freely and responsibly.

      In the Ilokano communities in Ilocos Region, discrimination and domestic violence are gradually disappearing; the Ilokano women are becoming more aware of their basic human rights and have become aware of the means and methods to protecting such rights.

      The new social responsibilities of the Ilokano women lie visibly in their active participation in non-government organizations.  Such organizations in turn commit themselves to be partners of community development.

      This paper aims to revisit the participation of women in community development, with special focus on Ilokano women, with the end in view of presenting the creative and conscious interventions done by women through various development projects they conceive of and implement. The successful stories of Ilokano women and their significant contributions to community development will form part of this paper.