What is 'Pink Tax' that Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw slammed for 'shameful gender bias'?

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw slammed Pink Tax in an X post.

Biocon Executive Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw blasted ‘Pink Tax’ on social media and urged women to “shun” products that promote this “shameful gender bias”.

Sharing a video of a content creator on X explaining Pink Tax and products associated with it, Shaw wrote: “Pink Tax! A shameful gender bias that women must respond to by shunning such products!”

Shaw’s tweet got a lot of support from women with thousands of likes on the video and hundreds of comments on how to find a way around Pink Tax.

Pink Tax! A shameful gender bias that women must respond to by shunning such products! pic.twitter.com/U3ZQm2s7W9

— Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (@kiranshaw) March 12, 2024

Pink Tax is a contentious issue has long simmered beneath the surface, affecting the wallets of women across the globe. This phenomenon refers to the tendency for products marketed towards women to cost more than their male-targeted counterparts, despite identical or similar functionality. As International Women's Day recently brought issues of gender equality to the forefront, discussions surrounding the Pink Tax have once again gained momentum.

The Pink Tax manifests in various forms, infiltrating everyday items from personal care products to clothing and toys. Studies have consistently highlighted disparities in pricing between comparable goods marketed towards different genders, with women often bearing the brunt of inflated costs.

A prime example lies within the realm of personal care products, as even explained in the clip shared by Shaw. Items such as razors, shampoo, and body wash often come with a notable price discrepancy between genders, even though the ingredients and functionality remain largely indistinguishable.

A study conducted by the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs in 2015 revealed that, on average, products marketed towards women cost 7% more than identical products marketed towards men.

Moreover, clothing serves as another battleground for the Pink Tax. From basic t-shirts to dry cleaning services, women frequently face higher price tags than their male counterparts for similar garments and services. This imbalance not only impacts individual consumers but also perpetuates systemic inequalities, reinforcing gender stereotypes and economic disparities.

Critics argue that the Pink Tax represents a form of gender-based discrimination, penalizing women for simply being female. The additional financial burden placed on women for everyday necessities further exacerbates existing economic disparities, particularly for those already marginalized by factors such as race, caste or socioeconomic status.

Efforts to combat Pink Tax have gained traction in recent years, with advocacy groups and lawmakers pushing for legislative action to address this issue. Some jurisdictions implemented measures to prohibit gender-based pricing discrimination but challenges remain in dismantling the entrenched structures that perpetuate Pink Tax.