Here’s something not a lot of Filipinas know about: we are getting HIT EVEN HARDER during these times of high inflation because of the PINK TAX.
In a video I posted about Pink tax in the Philippines (the Hidden Tax on Women’s Products), I listed some products wherein women are charged more money than men when it comes to buying stuff that basically work the same way and have the same description. I also shared how you can Ax the Pink Tax in your own little way.
What are the impacts of Pink Tax on the lives of women alike? How much of a burden is it to them, especially Filipino women?
You see, women already have a lot of unfair costs to pay for womanhood – and we Filipinas are no exception. Here are several reasons why:
- When a couple welcomes a baby, who is usually the default parent? It’s usually the woman, right? Some women have to give up their careers to prioritize child-rearing and household management which means no money for them whilst being dependent on their partners. What happens when the couple goes separate ways with the woman having not built a livelihood of her own? Tragic!
- Another would be the gender pay gap wherein women are paid less compared to men when it comes to the same job position. The reason is that mothers are seen as less serious and less focused because some companies think that our time is divided between work, child-raising, household duties, and the list goes on. Samantalang ang isang Ama ng tahanan, eh kahit may anak, is seen as more driven and trustworthy for a job because he is portrayed to have a family to feed.
- Another would be our menstruation. So how much do napkins/pads cost these days? A pack would cost you P60 to P100 per month. Now imagine having an extra heavy flow on some cycles. That would mean twice the cost!
So you see, we have all these unfair costs that lessen our income-earning potential. Now if you would add pink tax to the equation by mindlessly paying extra charges on female products that are essentially gender-neutral items, then you’re literally adding more negative compounding effects on your financial goals. And to think we are experiencing a high rise in inflation makes it a double whammy. Kaya totoo yung kasabihan na unfair ang socciety sa ating mga kababaihan.
Tip to beat inflation: AX the PINK TAX in the Philippines
So, if you’re wanting to lessen the burden of inflation on your hard-earned money, we advise you to compare prices. If the pink one or those targeted for women are of the same price as those for men, ede go ahead and buy it. But if the women’s version is pricier, then don’t. This will give companies the assumption that no one’s buying it so they have to stop manufacturing it.
“Eh Ameena, it’s just a few pesos to lose. Why bother?”
Remember, all those small overspendings, when aggregated, can cause a negative compounding effect on your overall financial goal (e.g. travel fund, retirement, college fund). Remember the saying how a tiny leak can cause a massive ship to sink? There’s a reason why that holds true.
📍P.S. The picture below shows an interview I had with a bunch of smart ladies from Ateneo de Manila Senior HS. I commend them for taking action on Women Empowerment and Pink Tax in the Philippines at such an early age.
Women Empowerment & Pink Tax: Another tip to beat inflation in the Philippines