Silent Surcharge: Pink Tax Eats into Women's Earnings

Regulation and targeted tax reforms are key to women's economic empowerment

- NIYATI SHAH

You walk into a store and find two nearly identical products—one for men, one for women. The women's version costs more. This hidden price gap, called the 'pink tax,' extends to services like dry cleaning and healthcare, quietly draining women's wallets.

Add income tax to the mix, and the financial gap widens, leaving women with less disposable income. This isn't just unfair—it's a systemic issue deepening financial inequality. It's time to go beyond gestures and push for real tax reforms that support women's financial empowerment.

Decoding pink tax

The pink tax isn't an official tax—an implicit cost women pay simply for being women. Studies show: (i) A 2015 New York City report found women's products cost 7% more on an average. In India, personal care items like razors and shampoos are priced 10-15% higher for women. Services like dry cleaning and haircuts charge women 20-30% more for the same offering.