IMPACT OF ONLINE ATTACKS ONLINE attacks have real-life impacts affecting the mental health and productivity of even the most experienced veteran journalists. As world renowned South African journalist and newspaper editor Ferial Haffajee once explained: “Every morning, I pick up my phone and check WhatsApp messages. Then, I open my X (formerly Twitter) feed. “Bitch!” reads a response to something I’ve posted or written or reported. I block. “Cunt,” reads another. Block. “Racist, go back home,” says another. Online abuse has become so commonplace that taking it in and blocking is part of the daily routine now.” (Source) This is in line with the Article 19 and African Media Women in Kenya Digital Security 2016 report which explains how: “Digital harassment leads to women withdrawing from the use of the internet and in many cases they have stopped working for some time. It has also changed the patterns of online interaction by women.” It also effectively censors women — not just in suppressing their words, but also goes as far as restricting their actions and interactions. They overthink their engagement on social media platforms — often choosing not to engage or they limit their inaction. The diminished presence on these platforms — reduces their interface with public opinions, perceptions and newsworthy issues. It paves the way for a dominant patriarchal narratives further perpetuating misogyny. It is critical to note that in the last survey question on the FERIAL Haffajee impact of online violence: 22 respondents reported the behaviour to the online platform. With this in mind it is to be noted that The Chilling pointed out how the most common platforms where female journalists face online violence are Facebook — the most frequently used platform, network or app for journalistic work — closely followed by X. However, it has been determined that social media companies lack gendersensitive or human-focused solutions to online attacks on female journalists. At the same time they lack the ability to respond in real time as well as the capacity to respond in all the languages that their platforms allow. In their submission to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Pursuant to Human Rights Council Resolution 32/13 on ways to bridge the gender digital divide from a human rights perspective, the Due Diligence Project (DDP) points out: “cessation of online violence and restoration of privacy can only be provided by internet intermediaries and platform providers.” DDP recommends: “Intermediaries should seek to empower users to work through hotlines, awareness raising and education. Complaints and remedies should be archived. Intermediary corporations must recognise violence against women as unlawful behaviour, and demonstrate increased and expedited cooperation in providing relief to victim/survivors within the corporations’ capacities. . .” 24