Austria has enforced a new law banning traditional Muslim head coverings, including hijabs, for girls under 14 in all public and private schools, coinciding with the start of the new school year. The conservative-led coalition government describes the measure as a commitment to gender equality and a protection of young girls' rights, while the Islamic Community in Austria (IGGÖ) condemns it as an unjustified restriction on religious freedom that risks marginalising the children it purports to protect. Critics also warn the law may face a constitutional challenge — a previous headscarf ban in primary schools was struck down by Austria's Constitutional Court in 2020 — and some teachers have raised concerns about being required to act as enforcers.