Happy Friday! Welcome to our Media Round Up. Each week we’re collecting and sharing our favorite gender + politics stories. Here’s what caught our eye this week:

How Digital Media is Threatening Women’s Rights and Democracy

Lucina Di Meco and Sarah Hesterman, Ms. Magazine

The more that women politicians speak out and challenge the status quo, the more they face an increasing amount of online abuse. Some types of online attacks that women in politics face include: sexualized comments, harassment, threats of physical violence, or false narratives spread to discredit them. The online attacks faced by these women politicians could result in a “silencing” effect, meaning women speaking out less against issues or not seeking reelection.

Read the full story here.

Native women face high maternal mortality rates. Can Biden’s spending bill help?

Abigail Higgins, The Lily

Between 2000 and 2017, maternal mortality rates decreased by almost 40 percent across the world; however, deaths related to pregnancy have steadily increased in the United States. Despite research showing that 60 percent of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable and the country spending more on healthcare than any other wealthy nation, the United States has the highest number of maternal deaths compared to those countries. About 700 people die from pregnancy-related issues every year. When addressing racial disparities within these maternal mortality statistics, Black and Indigenous people have an even higher maternal mortality rate than their white counterparts. President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better Act, a $2 trillion spending package focused on education, climate change, immigration, and health could address this issue.

Read the full story here.

In argument over gun rights, women are cast as both defenders and targets

Candice Norwood, The 19^th*

The U.S. Supreme Court case New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen will determine how strictly states can regulate concealed carry licenses. While this Supreme Court case does not necessarily center on women and concerns regarding their safety, many groups have come forward to argue that the restriction of concealed carrying licenses will protect women from gun violence or put them in grave danger. If the Supreme Court decides to scale back New York’s restrictions, some groups argue it could cause a ripple effect of existing issues of women’s safety; other groups suggest that less restrictions could mean a “great equalizer” for men and women.

Read the full story here.

Democrat Stacey Abrams announces 2nd try for Georgia governor

Lalee Ibssa, ABC News

On Wednesday, Stacey Abrams announced that she is running for Governor of Georgia. In her promotional video, Abrams said, “I’m running for Governor because opportunity in our state shouldn’t be determined by zip code, background or access to power…no matter where we come from in Georgia, or how long we’ve been here. We believe in this place and our folks who deserve to be seen and heard and have a voice because, in the end, we are one Georgia.”

Abram’s announcement could mean a potential rematch with current Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, who Abrams lost to in the gubernatorial race three years ago. If Abram wins the election, she will be the nation’s first Black female governor.

Read the full story here.