Pink is termed a woman’s colour. It is often said that the colour pink represents unconditional love, nurturing, and girlishness. Women’s attraction towards pink is innate. Recently, I have come across the term called ‘Pink Tax’.
Yes, Pink tax is a form of gender-based pricing where women in particular are charged more than men for the same product. Let me clarify that it is not the tax that is applied on products used by women, rather, it is a supplementary price required to be paid by the users of feminine products.
For example, a razor used by men costs Rs. 100, where the same razor, when packed in the pink packet with a flowery design costs Rs. 250.
The New York City Consumer Affairs’ Report, which looked at five industries, 24 stores, 91 brands, and 794 products in 2015, found that on average, women’s products cost 7% more than equivalent products marketed for men. This category included not just self-care items, but also toys, children’s apparel, and adult clothing.
Considering the known fact of gender pay gaps, it is crystal clear that women earn less and pay more. According to the recent studies published in ThePrint states that women in India earn 19 per cent less than men.
It is a serious issue that requires immediate attention. But it is sad that most of us are unaware of such discriminatory taxes. First and foremost we need to spread awareness and educate each other about the pink tax. Further, there is a lack of women entrepreneurs in the country. More women must come forward to work in entrepreneurial, production and marketing activities, to prevent such discrimination.
It is the need of the hour that we must pull our socks up and try to work towards building a colourful society, where each colour has its own beautiful place, not a symbol of gender discrimination.
Image Courtesy: Pinterest
