Research shows that 1 in 9 children in the region experience some form of bodily sexual abuse at the hands of adults – with perpetrators being strangers as well as relatives, teachers, coaches, and friends of parents. On speaking to parents, the research also finds that 86% of parents don't know how to educate their kids about safety from child sexual abuse. This includes the most educated ones. They get flabbergasted when asked. They haven’t had that conversation because they don’t know how to do so, out of fear of sharing more than what’s needed with their children.

With that in mind, Anghami, in partnership with Leo Burnett Dubai and Publicis Groupe, has created entertaining songs for children that address the need for children to protect themselves.  

The Protective Rhymes presents five different songs that have been created in consultation with psychologists and parents while referring to and adapting to other songs usually used for children’s safety. This idea, inspired by a regional problem, is global in its implication and is unique for a brand addressing the topic of child sexual abuse.

Each rhyme is based on an insight and tackles different areas of awareness and education.

The rhymes are also sequential, and through a step-by-step process, they are designed for parents to equip children with all the information they need. The rhymes are short and focused on one single point for them to remember. And they are designed using popular melodic techniques that work similar to the popular catchy children’s songs, to drive memorability. Initial tests with children have proven effective in making an impact on educating them.

Song 1: My body belongs to me. 

Teaching them about body parts and body boundaries, helping them understand their body belongs to them and no one should see or touch their body. Making kids aware of what is their own.

Song 2: Your body belongs to you.

Teaching children about body parts and body boundaries with others, helps them understand others’ body belongs to them and that it is not okay for them to see or touch someone else’s private body parts. Making kids aware of what is not okay for them to do (when asked or invited).

Song 3: We keep no secrets.

Sometimes those who prime children for child abuse, ask the children to keep their conversations and ‘experiments’ a secret and to not tell mom or dad. How can we tell kids that secrets that make them sad are not good? How can we get children to report such requests from ‘other grown-ups’ to mom or dad?

Song 4: Yell No!

If they find themselves in a bad situation, what should they do? We need to teach them what to do if they find themselves in a situation that isn’t right, Where they have identified something is wrong, and the steps they can take when they don’t feel safe.

Song 5: Good touch. Bad touch.

Once they know what their private parts are and about body boundaries, we must also ensure that they don’t get paranoid about every single person who touches them. They get confused between what is a bad or a good touch. So, to teach them how to identify the good touch vs bad touch in different situations, the ‘okay/not okay’ rhyme scheme works effectively with this song.

Credits:

Agency: Leo Burnett Dubai, Publicis Groupe ME&T

Production: Prodigious Middle East

Sound: Live Studio, MangoJam Studio, SoundStruck Studios

Marian Bahader, VP of Marketing, Anghami

Ghady El Hajj, Marketing Manager, Anghami

Sara Rahwanji, Marketing Executive, Anghami

Sara Aziz, Founder and President, Safe Kids NGO

Bassel Kakish, Chief Executive Officer, Publicis Groupe ME&T

Kalpesh Patankar, Chief Creative Officer, Leo Burnett Dubai

Tahaab Rais, Chief Strategy Officer, Publicis Groupe ME&T

Nathalie Gevresse, Chief Executive Officer, Publicis Communications UAE

Vicky Kriplani, Business Lead – Communications Consultancy, Leo Burnett Dubai

Sami Saleh, Chief Executive Officer, Prodigious Middle East

Shereen Mostafa, Head of A/V Production, Publicis Communications

Tania Hage, Associate Director – Post-Production, Publicis Communications

Eduardo Branco, Creative Director, Digitas Dubai

Nayaab Rais, Creative, Songwriter

Josephine Younes, Creative

Tahaab Rais, Songwriter, Film and Song Director, Art Direction, Publicis Groupe ME&T

Nuzeen Aziz, Designer, Publicis Groupe ME&T

Karim Khlat, Executive – Communications Consultancy, Leo Burnett Dubai

Sherif Magdi, Music Producer and Music Composer, Live Studio

Mohamed Omar, Music Composer, Live Studio

Ahmed Mostafa, Guitar & Ukelele, Live Studio

Wilbur D’Costa, Executive Producer, MangoJam Studio

Achint Parekh, Sound Engineer, MangoJam Studio

Shivani Sehgal, Producer, MangoJam Studio

Elvis Garagic, Sound Engineer, SoundStruck Studios

Ghina Mounzer, Producer, SoundStruck Studios

Ananya Murali, Singer

Zialla Simon, Singer

Aiden Tyler Allen, Singer