Sarah El Haïry Appointed France's First High Commissioner for Childhood

The new role, promised by President Macron, aims to address critical issues in child welfare, but concerns linger over its scope and resources.

Sarah El Haïry, a former minister and MoDem vice president, has been named High Commissioner for Childhood, a position created to address child welfare challenges in France.
The role encompasses a broad range of responsibilities, including child protection, adoption, parental support, early childhood care, and digital safety for children.
Advocacy groups welcome El Haïry's experience but express concerns about the position's limited authority and unclear budget allocation under the Ministry of Health's oversight.
Over three million children in France live below the poverty line, with thousands facing homelessness, lack of education, and mental health challenges, highlighting the urgency of the role.
El Haïry's past initiatives, such as digital safety programs and addressing child exploitation, are seen as potential frameworks for her new responsibilities.