When tolerance becomes a threat to children’s rights: debate about headscarf ban

Discrimination: Anyone who forces girls to wear a headscarf is denying them a free development

Discrimination

At 7:51 a.m., a new study by the women's rights organization Terre des Femmes was published, which points to alarming conditions: girls in Germany are increasingly being pressured to wear headscarves. This often happens at an early age and has far-reaching consequences for the children affected.

The study shows that the wearing of headscarves among girls under 14 has increased in recent years. This phenomenon can be observed in some primary schools and even in daycare centers. According to lawyer and author Seyran Ates, this is clearly a violation of Children’s rightsChildren should be able to dress according to the weather and not have their freedom restricted by a headscarf.

Terre des Femmes conducted a survey among teachers and the results are shocking: A third of the teachers believe that the girls do not wear the headscarf voluntarily. More than half of the teachers surveyed reported that these girls are not allowed to take part in sports lessons and school trips. Friendships with boys and non-Muslims suffer considerably as a result. Many of the girls affected also appear introverted and monitor each other in order to comply with religious rules.

This development can be seen not only as a violation of children's rights, but also as gender-specific discrimination. Children should be able to grow up freely and independently. But wearing a headscarf denies them this. The phenomenon speaks for a fundamentalist mentality in which girls are sexualized even before puberty.

The women’s rights organisation is therefore calling for a general ban on children’s headscarves until they are at least 14 years old. A social debate about a nationwide legal regulation that prohibits the wearing of religious symbols in daycare centers and schools before the age of religious maturity is reached. Various legal opinions have already confirmed that such a ban would be constitutional.

Another problem is the fear of being seen as anti-Muslim. Many politicians who otherwise support equality and feminism remain silent on this issue. This false tolerance However, this leads to affected girls being abandoned and fundamentalist actors gaining influence.

In the future, politics could help combat this form of discrimination through clear legal regulations and open debate. Schools and daycare centers must be places of freedom and equality, where all children have the same opportunities regardless of their origin.

Discrimination affects us all and only through joint, determined action can we ensure that every child has the right to free and self-determined development.