In brief
In a controversial move, Austria's government has approved a law banning headscarves in schools for girls below 14 years old, amidst concerns of fueling anti-Muslim sentiments and potential constitutional issues. The law applies to both public and private educational institutions and aims to empower young girls, according to government officials. However, it faces opposition claiming it undermines religious freedoms and promotes societal division.
Austria has passed a law banning headscarves in schools for girls under the age of 14.
The conservative-led coalition of three centrist parties, the ÖVP, the SPÖ and the Neos, says the law is a clear commitment to gender equality, but critics say it will fuel anti-Muslim feeling in the country and could be unconstitutional.
The measure will apply to girls in both public and private schools.
In 2020, a similar headscarf ban for girls under 10 was struck down by the Constitutional Court, because it specifically targeted Muslims.
The terms of the new law mean girls under 14 will be forbidden from wearing traditional Muslim head coverings such as hijabs or burkas.
If a student violates the ban, they must have a series of discussions with school authorities and their legal guardians. If there are repeated violations, the child and youth welfare agency must be notified.
As a last resort, families or guardians could be fined up to €800 (£700).
Members of the government say this is about empowering young girls, arguing it is to protect them from oppression.
Speaking ahead of the vote, the parliamentary leader of the liberal Neos party, Yannick Shetty said it was not a measure against a religion. It is a measure to protect the freedom of girls in this country, and added that the ban would affect about 12,000 children.
The opposition far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) supported the measure but claimed it did not go far enough, suggesting that a blanket ban on headscarves should be imposed on all students and staff.
Critics, including Sigrid Maurer from the Greens, have labeled the new law as clearly unconstitutional and warned it could further marginalize Muslim communities in Austria.
The Islamic Community in Austria has announced intentions to challenge the law's constitutionality, arguing it violates fundamental rights and exacerbates societal divides.
An awareness-raising trial period is set to commence in February 2026, with full enforcement scheduled to start in September, coinciding with the beginning of the new school year.
