Have you ever wondered – what is the difference between a women’s razor and a men’s razor? Oh! Except for the colour where one is pink and the other is blue. These so-called ‘gendered razors’ and shaving creams are similar in size, quality and technology. So why woman are asked to pay extra money for being a woman? Well, this phenomenon is called ‘Pink Tax‘! In the world, 50% population pays extra in the name of this tax.
The NYC Department Of Consumer Affair conducted a study that concludes that women’s products are typically more expensive than men product due to the fact that women are less price elastic than men. Products marketed specifically towards women cost on an average 7% more than product marketed towards men. This is not happening just in India but all over the world. In Britain, women pay 100% more than men for the same products and it was even debated in parliament. In US, women’s apparel costs 4% extra than men; not only that women’s daily care products cost 13% more than men.
And what about tampons and pads which are a basic necessity? Well, they aren’t free in many countries. Around 3-7% tax is charged in the name of sanitary pads as they are considered a luxury item. In India, as Goods and Services Tax was rolled out, sanitary pads were listed as attracting 12% GST. Following this, many women activists demanded the government to waive off taxes on sanitary pads, while many others went all out to defend the taxes. After 2 years when the 12% goods and services tax was removed from sanitary napkins by the government, the luxury tag was also chopped off.
It’s worth noting that the abolishment of this tax doesn’t apply to the menstrual cup and tampons. This tax is a hidden way adopted by big and small companies to charge woman and make money. Isn’t it worth noticing that we all are paying this extra money from so many decades for no good reason? Let’s raise our voice against this tax and start breathing freely. If we want to be called ‘Liberated India’ then it’s important to take these steps and start raising our voices!