Some Jewish communities say that when a girl turns 12, she becomes a bat chayil (literally “daughter of valour”). The bat chayil ceremony marks this occasion.
It is similar to a bat mitzvah. The main difference is that a bat chayil does not involve services or reading from the Torah.
It often takes place in a synagogue, but not during Shabbat services. It might include special prayers, a speech (dvar Torah or drash), and a special Kiddush or party.
Girls may also do mitzvah projects (social action projects) as part of their preparations. A girl will spend time studying and preparing to become bat chayil in preparation.
The bat chayil is mostly practised by observant communities where girls and women have distinct roles and responsibilities.
After the bat chayil, a girl is considered responsible for observing Jewish law relevant to women.
Original text
Bat Mitzvah Girl by Alexisrael on Wikimedia Commons, CC-BY-SA 3.0.
