By Blessing Nweke
Austria’s parliament has passed a contentious new law banning headscarves for girls under the age of 14 in both public and private schools, igniting a heated national debate over religious freedom, gender equality and constitutional rights. The conservative-led coalition of the ÖVP, SPÖ and the liberal Neos party backed the measure, describing it as a “clear commitment to gender equality” and a tool to protect minors from what they consider forms of oppression.
Under the legislation, students who violate the ban will be required to take part in a series of discussions involving school authorities and their legal guardians. Repeated violations would lead to notification of child and youth welfare services. As a final step, families or guardians could face fines of up to €800. The government estimates that the ban will affect around 12,000 girls nationwide.
Ahead of the vote, Neos parliamentary leader Yannick Shetty defended the measure, insisting it was “not a measure against a religion” but one aimed at safeguarding the “freedom of girls in this country.” However, the opposition Greens strongly disagreed, with MP Sigrid Maurer calling the law “clearly unconstitutional.”
The far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ), which also supported the law, argued that it did not go far enough. FPÖ spokesperson Ricarda Berger said the party wanted a “general ban on headscarves in schools,” extending to all pupils and staff, claiming that “political Islam has no place here.”
Austria’s official Islamic Community (IGGÖ) condemned the legislation, saying it violated fundamental rights and risked stigmatising Muslim children. The organisation said it would challenge the law, noting the Constitutional Court struck down a similar ban for under-10s in 2020 for discriminating against a religious minority.
An awareness-raising trial phase begins in February 2026, with full enforcement set for the start of the next school year in September.
Original article
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