Unveiling The Pink Tax: Analyzing Its Nature, Legal Implications, And Global Perspectives

Anshika Misra, School of Law, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore

ABSTRACT:

This paper investigates the prevalent issue of the “pink tax”, a discriminatory pricing practice where products and services marketed to women are priced higher than equivalent items targeted at men. The researcher explores the historical roots of this practice, analyzes its economic impact on women consumers, and scrutinizes the legal considerations surrounding the same. It also focuses on the importance of addressing the tax not just as an economic issue, but as a matter of gender equality. Eliminating this discriminatory practice aligns with India’s beliefs of its constitutional principles of non- discrimination, equality, and social justice. One of the most important counterarguments to the tax can be that of reasonable discrimination under taxation in India. The researcher analyses this aspect to understand whether the same applies to the tax in practicality. While doing the same, the researcher analyses the outlook of the tax in various countries. The methodology followed by the researcher focuses on analyzing various precedents and studies from all over the world that can be attributed to the tax. The paper then concludes with a call to action and recommendations for consumers, businesses, and policymakers, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to dismantle the “pink tax” and foster a more equitable consumer environment in India.

Keywords: Discrimination, Gender-Based Discrimination, Gender-Based Pricing, India, Pink Tax