Headscarf Ban: Minister Plakolm Optimistic

Integration Minister Claudia Plakolm (ÖVP) considers the headscarf ban for underage girls in schools in the now planned form to be constitutional. An initial regulation in elementary schools was overturned by the Constitutional Court (VfGH) at the end of 2020 due to its focus on Islam. It saw this as contrary to the state's requirement for religious neutrality. To counter these concerns, accompanying measures are to be introduced this time, two of which were presented on Monday.

Plakolm "confident"

"Yes, I am confident that this draft law can and will hold," said Plakolm at the Federal Chancellery regarding the now second attempt. The review period for the draft law, during which much criticism has already been voiced, runs until Thursday. After that, the received statements will be incorporated if necessary, said the minister. The VfGH's points of criticism have been taken seriously, worked on very carefully with constitutional lawyers, and therefore a broad package of measures beyond the headscarf ban has been planned.

Regarding the question of why the coalition continues to focus only on headscarves and not on all religious symbols, the minister stated that the headscarf prevents young girls from growing up in equality with boys and in self-determination. Plakolm spoke of cultural violence and false notions of honor. "This is not just a simple piece of cloth. It is about much more," she said: "It is definitely not a harmless piece of cloth, but a symbol of exactly this oppression."

A package of measures to strengthen the self-determination of girls, preventive work with boys and moral guardians, as well as support and education for parents, should accompany the law from the minister's perspective. There are grants amounting to 6.5 million euros and already more than 30 submissions. A commission is to decide on the allocations at the beginning of November.

Women's Center and Educational Project

Two already established projects were presented during the press conference. Sonia Koul from the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) presented their Women's Center, which focuses on the core goals of equality and self-determination. Integration expert Emina Saric introduced the violence-preventive educational project "Heroes.Styria," where young men have been trained as role models for their peer groups since 2017.

FPÖ Wants Broader Headscarf Ban

Criticism came from the opposition. "Workshops are not enough to tackle political Islam and its contempt for women," said FPÖ family spokesperson Ricarda Berger in a statement. A prohibition law against political Islam and a general headscarf ban in schools is needed, not just for those under 14, but for all female students, teachers, and caregivers. For the Greens, Deputy Club Chairwoman Sigrid Maurer stated that while they oppose the compulsion to wear headscarves, according to constitutional lawyers, the government has not succeeded in presenting a law that will stand before the Constitutional Court. "We cannot agree to an unconstitutional law," she explained.

(APA/Red)

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