neuwitch:

What is the woman tax?

The woman tax (or pink tax) is the increased cost women pay, not for makeup, but rather simply purchasing items to meet very basic needs. The woman tax (or pink tax) refers to the extra money tacked on to the products and services targeted toward women. Besides the ridiculous notion that an item could be “gendered”, the woman tax is a real, measurable manifestation of the capitalist patriarchy.  [x]

In France, women earn 24% less than men. They occupy 82% of part-time jobs. The average income of self-employed men is 40% higher than women. Even today, women’s retirement funds are 42% less than that of men. The gendered marketing by segmenting the market between girls and boys vehicle stereotypes, grows to over-consumption and imposes a specific tax to women. [x] [x] 

In fact, a 2010 consumer report found that personal (non female specific) hygiene products can be up to 50% more expensive for women as they are for men. 

The woman tax is even embedded into our laws. There is a difference in tariffs between imported women’s shoes and men’s footwear — a cost that then gets passed on to the consumer. The U.S. government takes in “about $60 million a year” more on women’s shoes than on men. 

Don’t forget, tampons are taxed as luxury items while men’s razors are not. (in fact, more states don’t tax candy than don’t tax menstrual products).

Research done in California found that women spend, on average, $1,351 per year more on items and services that are not specifically for women.  This adds up to over 100,000 over a lifetime. For example, some dry cleaners charge more for cleaning a woman’s shirt than a man’s, the reason given being that “the machine couldn’t fit shirts from a smaller person.” [x]

Fuck the capitalist patriarchy.