Austria’s under-14 school headscarf ban draws protests and pupil refusals; officials report 127 parent meetings and 52 alleged breaches

As the new school year begins in Austria, protests have been held against a ban on headscarves for girls under 14 in schools, and dozens of pupils have refused to comply. The conservative-led government says the measure, introduced on September 1, promotes gender equality and protects Muslim girls from segregation and oppression.

Critics argue that the ban disproportionately targets Muslims, infringes religious freedom and makes young girls dress in ways that leave them uncomfortable. The education ministry says authorities across Austria have held 127 meetings with parents and filed 52 reports over alleged breaches since the ban took effect.

Demonstrations have taken place across the country, with several hundred people gathering at each protest. At a rally in Vienna, 37-year-old Zehra said her nine- and 13-year-old daughters were sad and angry about the ban. Twelve-year-old Seham said she was afraid to remove her headscarf at school: she had worn it for two years, and it felt like part of her.