Written by: Darshana Choudhary
The first time I heard about the term ‘Pink Tax’ was when Scotland became the first country ever to have universal free period products. I was shocked to learn that every individual who identifies themselves as a womxn was unknowingly a part of this scam called the ‘Pink Tax.’
It’s like an abyss: difficult to avoid and impossible to escape.
But what is pink tax, really?
The Cost Of Being A Womxn
Pink tax refers to the invisible cost that womxn have to pay for products designed and marketed specifically for them while male equivalents of the same products are available for less.
According to a study conducted by the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs called ‘From Cradle to Cane: The Cost of Being a Female Consumer’, womxn pay as much as 7% more on generic products than men. Womxn’s products can rise up to as high as 13% more than personal care products of men. However, the pink tax is not only limited to New York or the US. It is a worldwide phenomenon.
In India, when the Goods and Services Tax (GST) was first rolled out, the tax levied on sanitary napkins was a huge 12%; it was only after multiple protests from across the country that the high GST was withdrawn.
One can easily find examples of pink tax in our everyday life. From getting a haircut in a salon to buying personal care products such as razors and deodorants, pink tax is fairly prevalent in all products. For example, the cheapest disposable razor marketed to womxn approximately costs ₹55, while it is just ₹20 for men!
Sherry Baker, President, Product Development and Marketing, European Wax Center, which launched the campaign #AxThePinkTax, once remarked, “By the time a womxn turns 30, she’s been robbed of $40,562 just for being a womxn.” This should suffice in establishing the gravity of the situation.
Is There A Way To Escape It?
Pink tax is a twofold blow for womxn. Since there exists a universal disparity between the incomes of womxn and men, womxn unknowingly end up bearing the brunt of capitalism when they are made to pay more for the products that provide the same utility as the generic ones.
Perhaps, a reason why discriminatory practices such as the pink tax exists lies in the cultural values we impart. By and large, all cultures associate the value of vanity with womxn. They assert that womxn should attribute high regard to their appearances.
Yet, one must strive to combat such discriminatory practices. The following can be some ways to escape the pink tax:
- Do not fall for the packaging of a product.
- Choose a generic product in the same category if you can.
- Create awareness and educate people about it.
- Hold companies that levy pink tax accountable.
- Voice your support for companies who have shifted to gender-neutral pricing.
Initiatives To Curb Discriminatory Practices Like The Pink Tax
The year 2020 might not be considered a happy year, but it did make us question a lot of things around us. Two major initiatives were taken against the discriminatory practice of the pink tax.
First, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, as part of the Governor’s 2020 Women’s Agenda, eliminated the pink tax. Secondly, Scotland became the first-ever nation to make tampons and pads free for everyone.
While there is a long way to go to achieve the goal of a gender-neutral world, such initiatives are a ray of hope, assuring that this dream might just come true.
All images have been provided by the author.
Note: The article was originally published here.