Across Asia-Pacific, girls are fighting for a better tomorrow: Jakarta Post contributor

Girls get dressed in the afternoon in preparation for a ritual that will last until dawn in a Hindu pura (temple) in late August. For 12 hours they stay awake and dance. Usaba Dangsil is a ritual to honour young people’s initiation and an education about tradition for young villagers. - JP/

JAKARTA (The Jakarta Post/Asia News Network): The Asia-Pacific region is increasingly a "Tale of Two Cities" for young women leaders working to increase gender equality. The situation for girls and young women in several countries is slipping backwards because of violence and discrimination. Disturbing headlines continue to come out of Myanmar and Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, other countries continue to boldly move forward in pursuit of greater equality and opportunities for girls.