The pink tax

As a female member of the human species, who has lived on this earth for 23 years, there is one thing that has haunted me relentlessly. Not the shadows under my bed or the thought of being trapped in an elevator, but something far sneakier--- the pink tax. I know you have heard of income tax or property tax. What on earth is pink tax? You may wonder. Why is it also pink?

The pink tax refers to the fact that products marketed for women - such as razors, shampoos, or even toys - often cost more than similar products targeted at men. Companies slap on some pink packaging or call it "for her," and suddenly, it is worth a few extra bucks. Studies show that women's products cost, on average, 7.0 per cent more than men's across categories like clothing, personal care, and toys. For example, consider the price of those fancy Gillette Venus razors. They are almost identical to the men's version but priced higher. Even kid's toys aren't safe-add a little pink paint, and voilà, a price hike!

Now, here is the kicker: women already earn less than men on an average. So not only do we have to stretch our paychecks, but we are also paying extra for things we actually need. It is like a bad joke, except no one is laughing.

Some places, like California, are starting to fight back with laws against gender-based pricing, which is great. But until this "tax" is completely wiped out, it is worth asking why we are paying more just because a product is pink - or, honestly, why it is even pink in the first place.

Maisha Nanjiba Hoque

Student

North South University

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