Austria votes to ban headscarves in schools for girls under 14

"Lawmakers in Austria have voted overwhelmingly to ban headscarves in schools for girls under the age of 14, despite concerns the legislation will deepen societal divisions and marginalise Muslims. The law could also be struck down by the country's constitutional court. The ban was proposed earlier this year by Austria's conservative-led government, which took office in March after a far-right party came first in the elections but failed to form a government."

"Before Thursday's vote, Yannick Shetty, the parliamentary leader of the liberal Neos, the most junior party in the ruling coalition, defended the ban. He told the lower house: This is not about restricting freedom, but about protecting the freedom of girls up to 14. It [the headscarf] is not just an item of clothing. It serves, particularly with minors, to shield girls from the male gaze. It sexualises girls, he said."

"The ban is expected to take effect at the start of the new school year in September, with families facing fines of up to 800 (700) for repeated non-compliance. A soft launch of the legislation will begin in February as the new rules are explained to educators, parents and children. Thursday's legislation marks the second time that a government led by the centre-right People's party (OVP) has set its sights on the headscarf. In 2019, as part of a coalition that included the far right, Austria introduced a ban on headscarves for girls under 10 years of age. The legislation was later overturned by the country's constitutional court, which described it as discriminatory in that it specifically targeted Muslims."

Lawmakers voted to ban headscarves in schools for girls under 14, passing the measure by a large majority. Critics warned the ban would deepen societal divisions and marginalise Muslim communities. The government framed the law as designed to withstand constitutional review after a 2019 ban for under-10s was overturned as discriminatory. Parliamentary leader Yannick Shetty defended the measure as protecting the freedom of girls and argued the headscarf sexualises minors. The ban is set to take effect in September, with fines up to €800 for repeat violations and a February soft launch to explain the rules.

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