Newsbreak: United Nations Demands End to Pink Tax – Women Pay More for Same Products and Services

The “Pink Tax” is a term that refers to the price difference between products that are targeted at women and those that are not gender-specific or aimed at men. Razors are one example of this, as even basic razors tend to be priced differently depending on whether they are marketed towards women or men, with the women’s versions usually costing more. This disparity also occurs with other products and services, causing women to overpay.

Based on a report by MARCA on March 13, 2023, the United Nations has called on countries to eliminate the “Pink Tax” to ensure that women have full and equal participation in the economy. Women already earn less than men, and the Pink Tax adds an additional economic burden, further undermining efforts for gender-based wealth equality. The higher cost of women’s underwear is just one example of this gender bias that needs to be regulated by both businesses and the government.

Products that could be used by either gender but often cost more when marketed towards women include soap, lotion, shampoo, deodorant, laxatives, clothes, toys, and travel toiletries. The Pink Tax has been around since at least the 1990s, when a report found that 64% of stores in several major cities charged more to wash and dry-clean a woman’s blouse than a man’s button-up shirt, as reported by The Balance on January 11, 2023.

Since then, various attempts have been made to remove the pink tax. However, it is still prevalent in many places, and many critics argue that women continue to be overcharged for products and services, according to MARCA. The Pink Tax remains an important issue, and there is still work to be done to ensure that women are not unfairly burdened by higher prices for products that are marketed towards them.