Pink tax refers to the broad tendency for products used by women under which they are
required to pay extra amount of tax. This can also be referred to as price discrimination or
gender pricing. The classic example of this is those cheap razors for sale in drug store. There
is no difference between male and female version except the price. The male version costs
approximately Rs.20-30 whereas the female version costs around Rs.70-80.
Women being charged higher price isn’t a new thing. This system was created between the
period of 1930s to 1960s in USA. During that time, legislators were trying to figure out which
all items to add in the tax list and which all items to exempt from the list. In those days the
household expense was borne by the full family as compared to today where it can be bear
by a single woman. This concept of price tax arises from the advancement women have
made in the workforce.
When GST came in India, the tax on sanitary pads was 12%. It was withdrawn because of the
multiple protests from activists across the country. Products of personal care are easy
targets for price discrimination. There are several arguments for women to pay more. One
of the theories suggests that the cost of pricing for women products is more because of
higher R&D cost, and other additional expenses in terms of designing and packaging. Also,
women are assumed to be less price elastic than compared to men. They are governed by
liking of a product or brand and are very less likely to shift. On the other hand, men are
considered to be price sensitive, there purchase Is based on the price of the product.
To overcome this tax is a huge challenge for Indian society. Since there has been no
objections from the society so far, this trend has continued. This tax is unethical but not
illegal. Only if women are aware and raise their voice could led to some advancements in
this field. One way can also be to not fall for packaging of the products which is done for the
attention of the consumer. Instead to go for generic versions of the product if the price
difference is more.
Aishwarya Says:
I have always been against Glorifying Over Work and therefore, in the year 2021, I have decided to launch this campaign “Balancing Life”and talk about this wrong practice, that we have been following since last few years. I will be talking to and interviewing around 1 lakh people in the coming 2021 and publish their interview regarding their opinion on glamourising Over Work.
If you are interested in participating in the same, do let me know.
Do follow me on Facebook, Twitter Youtube and Instagram.
The copyright of this Article belongs exclusively to Ms. Aishwarya Sandeep. Reproduction of the same, without permission will amount to Copyright Infringement. Appropriate Legal Action under the Indian Laws will be taken.
If you would also like to contribute to my website, then do share your articles or poems at adv.aishwaryasandeep@gmail.com
We also have a Facebook Group Restarter Moms for Mothers or Women who would like to rejoin their careers post a career break or women who are enterpreneurs