Girls who wear hijab often face bullying.
Austria's plan to impose a ban on hijabs in schools has sparked widespread debate across the country. The proposal, put forward by Integration Minister Claudia Plakolm (ÖVP), aims to prevent girls under the age of fourteen from wearing religious head coverings in schools. Psychologists in Austria have expressed strong support for this move, warning that wearing a hijab at an early age could negatively impact children's psychological and emotional development.
The Austrian Professional Association of Psychologists (BÖP) issued a detailed statement after the public review period, describing the proposed ban as an important step towards protecting children's mental health. The association emphasized that schools should be places where children can freely develop their identity and independence, away from religious or cultural pressures. It added that if the law is applied sensitively and thoughtfully, it could contribute to enhancing mental health, equality, and freedom of self-expression.
Experts pointed out that children in the early primary and secondary education stages go through a critical phase in self-formation. According to BÖP, imposing strict dress codes or those enforced from outside, especially if they have a religious background, can limit a child's independence and distort their self-image. They warned that the hijab could lead to early gender discrimination, reduce girls' self-esteem, and weaken their awareness of their bodies. It may also make girls more susceptible to bullying, social isolation, and psychological conflicts between loyalty to family and the desire for personal freedom.
Psychologists have described the imposition of mandatory hijab as a form of gender-based discrimination, as it targets girls only. They explained that it reinforces harmful stereotypes and sends a false message that girls are responsible for men's behavior. They emphasized that a school environment that evaluates girls based on their abilities rather than their appearance contributes to building self-confidence, equality, and social inclusion. Experts reminded legislators that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child obliges Austria to give absolute priority to the child's best interests and to protect them from any form of discrimination.
To ensure the success of the ban, the Austrian Association proposed a set of accompanying measures, including training for teachers and administrators, providing psychological support for affected families, and promoting intercultural education in the spirit of respecting religious diversity while addressing patriarchal structures. It also called for an assessment of the law's impact after its implementation on the well-being of children, their integration, and their long-term educational opportunities.
Minister Claudia Blackholm welcomed the support of psychologists, stating: "An eight-year-old girl is simply a child – not something to be hidden. She should be allowed to play, swim, dream, and laugh, not to be restricted, judged, or confined." She added that the proposed ban represents an important step towards protecting children's freedom, promoting equality, and supporting integration into Austrian society.