Overview

• Sarah El Haïry, former Minister for Youth and Families, has been appointed as France's first High Commissioner for Childhood, a position created after the elimination of the dedicated ministry under the Bayrou government.
• The role is tasked with coordinating policies on child protection, health, and parental support, but its limited authority and lack of direct ministerial power have raised doubts about its effectiveness.
• Child welfare advocates highlight urgent issues, including over 3 million children living in poverty, 2,000 children without housing, and a shortage of 30,000 professionals in child protection services.
• Critics question the adequacy of funding and resources for the High Commission, warning that it may lack the capacity to implement meaningful reforms in a system described as deeply dysfunctional.
• Advocacy groups and experts call for immediate action on pressing issues like violence against children, mental health, and cyber safety, urging the government to prioritize a comprehensive national strategy.