We know that women and girls, across the globe, are being systematically denied their most basic rights. You may find gender equality from the household to society. The most basic form of not having the same parental role as underpaid workers.
But not only societal based discrimination is faced by women, in this so-called “modern world”, many private industries are also creating gender disparities among their basic utilities. We, people, focus so much on the unequal paid system that another issue is often sidelined, that is the difference between the prices of male and female products. The women’s product is shown to be all “pinkish, fragile and feminine” whereas male products are shown to be more “masculine and strong”.
Right from clothing to cosmetics, women are a victim of gender-based price disparity where they pay more as their products are designed more in pink and beautifully presented while the male products are available at a comparatively cheaper rate. When feminine products such as tampons, pads, and razors are covered in pink and usually charged more, it is known as the ” Pink Tax”.
Let me remind you all, the use of feminine products such as pads and tampons is a necessity and not a leisure activity. The products are charged with 10%-20% tax just because they are covered in pink colour. For example, the cheapest disposable razor marketed toward women approximately costs ₹55, while it is just ₹20 for men. The saddest reality is that not many people are aware of it.
When we talk about female hygiene we always emphasize the use of pads and tampons but what if the pink tax is forcing them not to be used by low class or middle-class females. One box of pads costs you around 100 -120rs with 7 pads, how affordable that sounds for the people who work on daily wages of 50-100 rs. I know, many of you will suggest looking for pads that are available for cheaper rates but are they as effective and as safe?.
When we think about population, we always look for contraceptive methods, but In India, one pill of emergency contraceptive costs you around 100-200rs. The female condoms are not easily available, even if you luckily find them, they will not come cheap.
This type of gender discrimination is covered under the beautifully presented advertisement of companies. When we talk about gender discrimination we never look for the pink tax, we only look for the societal discrimination. And for that matter, it continues to exist and will continue to exist till we all realize it and speak about it.
The issue is here to make awareness not only among women but all about the price discrimination of the necessities. Since there are no laws and legal interference and one may not completely stop the use but as we start raising our voice, we may be able to make a change.
Triah
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