Austria's School Headscarf Ban Takes Effect for Under-14s
Is this a win for gender equality or discrimination?
Above: Demonstrators attend a protest against the headscarf ban in schools, in Vienna, Austria on Feb. 13. Image credit: Joe Klamar/AFP/Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
Banning headscarves for girls under 14 is exactly what a country committed to gender equality should do. France drew this line 20 years ago and Austria was right to finally draw it too.
Narrative B
A law that names one religion's clothing is discrimination. Society should rally around members of the Islamic faith who wear the headscarf as a sign of religious expression.