On Thursday, December 10, 2025, Austrian lawmakers gave the green light to a controversial law banning headscarves in schools for girls under 14. The decision, backed by a large conservative majority, has ignited protests and heated debates about religious freedom and girls’ rights.
From February, parents of girls who defy the rule could face fines up to $1,150. Critics argue the move deepens social divisions and unfairly targets Muslim communities. “This law feels like an intrusion into our family life,” says Esma Kedikli, mother of 12-year-old Ruveyda. “It denies girls the choice to express their faith.”
Ruveyda, one of thousands of hijab-wearing schoolgirls in Austria, adds: “Some might be pressured, but I chose to wear it because I feel proud and connected to my identity.” Her words echo those of 14-year-old Hadije: “I’ve always wanted to wear a headscarf, just like my mum. It’s part of who I am.”
The government defends the ban as a protection measure. “When little girls are hindered by patriarchal constraints and false notions of honour, we cannot look away,” said Integration Minister Claudia Plakolm.
Meanwhile, hundreds of young students have taken to the streets in Vienna and other cities, waving signs like “Let Girls Choose” and “Faith, Not Fear” ✊. Their protest is a powerful reminder that for many, a headscarf isn’t oppression—it’s empowerment.
As the law moves closer to implementation, Austria’s youth and parents are gearing up for a long battle over identity, rights, and what it means to grow up in a diverse society.
Reference(s):
How Austria's potential hijab ban inspired a protest by schoolgirls
cgtn.com
