KENYA'S HIJAB STUDENTS

NAIROBI : A ruling by Kenya's top court that schools can ban the hijab could lead Muslim girls -already at risk from practices such as female genital mutilation [FGM] and child marriage - dropping out of school, campaigners warned on Friday.

The Supreme Court rules last Thursday that every school had the right to determine its own dress code, overturning a 2016 judgment allowing Muslim Students to wear the hijab in non-Muslim schools, and directed the government to frame guidelines.

Human Rights group fear some schools will opt to impose the ban, which pertains to both the hijab and the white trousers often worn by Muslim schoolgirls under their skirts.

''I believe there is a large sense of tolerance in most schools, both public and private, in Kenya. But there is a possibility that some schools will enforce a ban,'' said Demos Kiprono, campaign manager at Amnesty International in Kenya.

''If this happens, it may affect schooling for Muslim girls. Religious dress is an important issue for some Muslim communities, so the ban may lead to families taking their daughters out of school, or girls may find themselves not feeling comfortable.''

Campaigners say Kenyan girls, including those from Muslim communities, already face multiple barriers to to completing their education.

Traditional practices such as  EGM  and child marriage often force adolescent  girls to drop put of school, they said, and schools banning hijabs could lead to higher drop-out rates.

''This is a missed opportunity by the Supreme Court  to have set a landmark judgment on women's rights to privacy and to choose what she wants to wear,'' said Agnes Odhiambo, senior women rights researcher for Human Rights Watch in Kenya.

''If schools decide to take up the ban, the government must monitor this ensure it does not discriminate against Muslim girls. The ruling does not promote integration, peace and tolerance in our schools and communities.'' [Agencies]

NAIROBI : A ruling by Kenya's top court that schools can ban the hijab could lead Muslim girls dropping out of school