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, states that the law is a clear commitment to gender equality; however, critics argue that it may fuel anti-Muslim sentiment in the country and could be unconstitutional.
The new measure will apply to girls in both public and private schools and specifically targets traditional Muslim head coverings such as hijabs or burkas.
In 2020, a similar headscarf ban for girls under the age of 10 was struck down by the Constitutional Court for specifically targeting Muslims.
If a student violates the ban, they are required to discuss the issue with school authorities and their legal guardians. Repeat violations could lead to notifications to the child welfare agency, and families could face fines of up to €800 (£700).
Government representatives emphasize that this law aims to empower young girls, arguing it protects them from oppression. Ahead of the vote, parliamentary leader Yannick Shetty of the liberal Neos party remarked that the measure is not against a religion but serves to safeguard the freedoms of girls in Austria, estimating that approximately 12,000 children are affected by the ban.
The opposition far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ), which supported the ban, contends that it doesn't go far enough, calling for a broader prohibition on headscarves for all students and staff in schools.
Conversely, opposition members like Sigrid Maurer from the Greens labeled the new law as clearly unconstitutional, while the official Islamic Community in Austria (IGGÖ) asserted that it infringes upon fundamental rights and will divide society.
Following the law's approval, the IGGÖ stated it would explore the constitutionality of the ban and consider appropriate legal measures, referencing a previous Constitutional Court ruling in 2020 that deemed such bans unconstitutional due to their targeting of a religious minority.
The government claims it has attempted to navigate the constitutional implications satisfactorily, although uncertainty remains about how the law will hold up through legal scrutiny.
A trial period to raise awareness about the ban will commence in February 2026, with full enforcement scheduled for the start of the next academic year in September 2026.
