From Huffington Post, A Message to Girls About Religious Men Who Fear You. It's long, but it's well worth reading. The writer, Soraya Chemaly, covers a number of stories that have been in the news of late, with links, from the girl softball player who was made the center of a fuss when a rival school pulled out of the state finals so they wouldn't have to play a team with a girl on it, to girls maimed in "honor" crimes, to investigations of the Girl Scouts, to girls who are stoned for going to school.

I will add, Chemaly says there are globally connected networks of women and men who will help and support girls, but there are also networks of girls, more than ever, who are coming forward to help and advise each other. Communication gives you more power than you have ever had--don't hesitate to use it. Over and over I read of girls and young women speaking out for themselves and each other in all kinds of ways, be they help projects, films, music, and blogs. You don't have to wait for some well-meaning adult to step in (and take the credit).

Chemaly also points out that not all women will support you. You've probably noticed this for yourselves, but it was a hard and honest thing for her to say. Too many adult women side with men, thinking it will earn them status and a place at the top table with the men. Too many girls suck up to guys and bash other girls for the same reasons, thinking this will get them a piece of guy power. It doesn't. Female and male alike, they will attack your looks, your sexuality, your body, your chastity, your honesty, all the things that Chemaly mentions, all out of fear.

I'm not suggesting that you bash other girls. I'm hoping that you'll ask such girls why they're going after their own natural allies, when guys are too well known for dumping them the first time something (someone) better comes along. They may not get it. They may continue to go with where they believe the power and the status is. All you can do is stand up, and keep standing up, for girls and women.

These people who come after you under the guise of religion and caring for your soul? They only care for their own, male, power. Don't let them grind you down. Know that you can change the world in spite of these jealous, fearful people. Take pride in yourself and in each other, and be wary of those who use the language of faith to make you feel bad about yourself.