BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY TO THE RESEARCH AN online survey confined to those working in the media sector, was undertaken by the regional office of MISA to: Gather data on the usage of online platforms, types of attacks and the impact of those attacks on female women journalists and Gain an understanding on the awareness and extent of online based violence targeting female journalists in Southern Africa. This was done with the aim of: Providing MISA with a baseline from which to measure the impact of advocacy actions to follow; Using the survey findings to undertake impactful and effective measures to safeguard female women journalists from digital violence, including gender-sensitive media literacy and digital security training; Assisting in developing tools and strategies to assist female journalists developing coping mechanisms to deal with the impact of online attacks; Working on reducing digital attacks on female journalists in the long term; and Guiding media stakeholders in developing a clear definition for the categorisation of online violence, which in turn will be used to advocate for the inclusion of the monitoring of online violence against journalists and in particular women journalists. 17 To understand the nature of attacks that female journalists face online, an online survey was carried out. The online survey is anchored on the second recommendation made to Member States in the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Resolution 522 on the Protection of Women Against Digital Violence in Africa. The findings from this survey, together with subsequent follow up actions and advocacy strategies, will feed into the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issues of Impunity, which highlights the 4 Ps — Prevention, Protection, Prosecution and Partnerships.