Since 1 September, Austria has banned headscarves for female pupils under 14 at state and private schools. Repeated breaches of the rule could lead to fines of €150 to €800 for parents.
Since the start of the 2026/27 school year on 1 September, female pupils in Austria under the age of 14 have been prohibited from wearing any headscarf at school that “covers the head in line with Islamic traditions.”
Teachers’ representatives say the new rule has generally been implemented calmly and respectfully. At the same time, some schools have reported conflicts and, in some cases, aggressive reactions.
The new law was already controversial before it came into force, with critics questioning whether it was compatible with freedom of religion and the principle of equality.
I question the logic if banning head scarves is higher priority than forced genital mutilation
In this case priority is a matter of perspective, not logic. Banning circumcision may be more important for you and me but it doesn’t mean it’s the priority for Austrian voters and legislators.
Precisely, and it speaks to the credibility of the human rights basis, leaving simple bigotry as the most probable motive.