Pink Tax: The Cost of Being a Woman

A manifestation of gender based pricing

What is the Pink tax?

First of all, it is not any type of tax. It is a form of gender-based pricing where women are charged more than men for the same thing. The pink tax is a price disparity that calls out products and services marketed to women that cost more for the similar or nearly alike versions that men use. These include cosmetics, sanitary products, clothes, salon services etc. In a nutshell, products marketed for women generally cost more.

Economic Impact of Pink Tax

The economic impact of the pink tax is that women have less purchasing power, especially paired with the gender-based pay gap. According to a New York City Department of Consumer Affairs study, products marketed specifically toward women cost on average 7% more than products marketed toward men. Paying more for goods and services marketed to women while women earn less than men means men hold the majority of the purchasing power in the economy. Sanitary pads, however, were subject to 12% GST, which created a rage amongst the public.

Why does it exist?

This unfair pricing is based on the deep-rooted patriarchy in society. It is often believed and marketed that women have to be more attractive and good-looking. This societal pressure leads to gender-based discrimination in the pricing system. Society believes that men are rational in spending money where women are emotional.

How to avoid paying more?

• Support companies who are taking a stand against the pink tax with gender-neutral pricing.

• Buy more gender-neutral items when shopping for toys, razors, shampoos, deodorants, etc.

• Create awareness about pink tax in society through educating people

• Support legislation to stop the pink tax

• Research about the brands 

So let us put Pink Tax on a pink slip and enjoy pink as a colour.

This edition of econSHOT is proofread by Keerthana Venkatachalam. The thumbnail art is designed by Alana Biju.

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