Compare the price of being a woman, from pink tax to period poverty, and queue up to educate and advocate for gender equality at the checkout!
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06 Mar 2024
7 Min Read
Esther Ng (Guest Contributor)
Compare the price of being a woman, from pink tax to period poverty, and queue up to educate and advocate for gender equality at the checkout!
As International Women’s Day approaches, it’s a time for both celebration and reflection. It’s a moment to acknowledge the strides made towards gender equality, while also recognising the persistent obstacles that still stand in the way. One such barrier, often hidden in plain sight, is pink tax.
Have you ever walked into a store and seen the price difference between razors marketed to women versus men? Well, there’s a name for this pricing gap — pink tax! This pricing gap highlights a systemic issue of gender-based pricing discrimination, but the implications of it reach far beyond the inconvenience of a higher checkout bill.
For people living on the margins of society, the higher cost of menstrual hygiene products further causes financial strain on individuals grappling with the inflated prices of everyday necessities: the gut-wrenching choice between purchasing food or menstrual products — a decision that shouldn’t even be on the table, yet a heartbreaking reality for far too many. This financial strain not only affects their well-being but serves as a barrier to education and economic opportunities, perpetuating a cycle of inequality.
As we edge closer to the notable day, it’s crucial to turn the spotlight on issues like pink tax and the broader implications of gender-based pricing discrimination. Only by acknowledging and addressing these barriers can we truly strive towards a future of equality.
The concept of pink tax is not just about the colour pink; it’s the extra cost women often have to fork out for essential goods like sanitary products or products marketed specifically towards women. There are two main ways this happens: either governments slap a sales tax on sanitary products, or companies sneakily charge more for products marketed at women even if they’re basically the same thing. Countries like the U.K., the U.S., and India have been guilty of adding taxes to sanitary products. While Malaysia used to have the same thing, the government zeroed it out in 2018. It’s not just about ‘womanly’ stuff either; this price gap extends to toys, healthcare, clothes, and even medicine.
While the elimination of pink tax in Malaysia marks a step in the right direction, it alone isn’t enough to tackle the broader issue of menstrual product accessibility. Despite the removal of this tax, many women, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, still struggle to afford sanitary products. The choice between buying food and menstrual products is a harsh reality, leading to makeshift solutions like using rags, old nappies, or even coconut husk during their periods. This not only compromises their physical comfort but poses serious health risks.
Period poverty, as defined by the lack of access to safe and hygienic menstrual products, along with inadequate sanitation facilities and menstrual education, stands as a significant public health concern not just within Malaysia but across the world. Simply removing the tax on products doesn’t address the underlying socioeconomic barriers that prevent women from accessing menstrual products and resources they need.
Menstrual health is an integral part of sexual and reproductive health and rights, yet people continue to ignore period poverty. Throughout history, periods have been shrouded in stigma and taboo, often resulting in the isolation of women and the silencing of their experiences. In many cultures, menstruation was viewed as unclean or impure, leading to practices of exclusion of menstruating individuals from certain activities. Ancient texts and religious beliefs often reinforced these negative perceptions. For example, in the seventh century AD, Isidore of Seville expanded on Pliny’s accusations, claiming that if people are touched by the blood of menstruation, crops will die, unfermented wine will sour, plants will wither, and trees will lose their fruit. This stigma not only affected how periods were perceived but also restricted access to education related to menstrual health. To this day, remnants of these historical attitudes continue to linger, manifesting in cultural taboos and the perpetuation of myths surrounding menstruation.
The persistence of stigmas surrounding menstruation today can be attributed to various factors. From a young age, many girls are conditioned to feel embarrassed or ashamed of their menstruation, leading to secrecy when it comes to seeking help or simply asking for a pad. Why should we have to feel embarrassed and whisper when speaking about ‘that time of month’? This reluctance to openly address menstruation is deeply rooted in history, which has long portrayed periods as taboo or unclean.
Additionally, inadequate educational awareness about menstruation further perpetuates these stigmas. Many people lack formal education about what to expect during their period, including common issues like dysmenorrhea, which is often brushed off as normal when it could signal underlying health issues. Due to this absence of comprehensive menstrual education, girls who go through their first period undergo a period of panic or anxiety because they simply don’t understand what’s happening to their bodies. The lack of knowledge around this topic develops into myths and misconceptions being spread around about periods.
Moreover, the lack of social support exacerbates the stigma. Men, in particular, may be unaware of the experiences women go through during their periods and may not receive the same level of education about menstruation. Thus, men should be involved in discussions about menstruation because it’s not just about understanding a biological process; it’s about validating the experiences, pain, and challenges that the women they care about endure month after month. It’s about standing in solidarity, offering support, and advocating for a world where no woman has to feel ashamed or silenced by something as natural as her period.
The consequences of these stigmas permeate through societal structures, impacting education, healthcare, and overall well-being. For young girls, the fear of being bullied or teased, coupled with inadequate toilet facilities at schools, may lead to absenteeism during their periods. The idea that periods should be something that is kept secret and endured silently can prevent women from seeking the help they need.
A survey of 3,000 women and girls revealed that many were dismissed by medical professionals when seeking treatment for severe pain and heavy bleeding, which would later contribute to mental health issues. The report found that more than half of their respondents felt that their doctors didn’t take proper consideration of their problems due to their symptoms being passed off as ‘just having a period’. A lack of understanding and support further perpetuates feelings of isolation and frustration, leaving these women to feel that their experiences are invalidated, despite there being many others who feel the same way. These stigmas can lead to poor menstrual hygiene practices, increasing the risk of urinary and reproductive tract infections and impacting overall well-being.
One crucial step to challenge these stigmas is fostering open discussions and education about menstrual health among students and teachers. This can be in the form of sex education workshops in schools or a comprehensive syllabus around reproductive health that educates rather than shames. Advocating for policies that ensure sanitary products are readily available and affordable is essential. There are many non-governmental organisations (NGOs) currently doing groundwork to alleviate period poverty, like All Women’s Action Society (Awam) and SERUM, who are open to volunteering and receiving donations to reach their goal. These NGOs make a significant impact by providing resources, education, and support to those in need.
The Taylor’s Hostel Management project dubbed ‘LaunchPad’ sets an example of a student-led initiative to eradicate period poverty among a marginalised community. This goes to show that student-led initiatives can play a pivotal role in addressing social issues, demonstrating the power of grassroots efforts and the importance of community-driven solutions to create meaningful change. Advocating extends beyond the general public and should include workplaces as well. Menstrual leave policies and other supportive measures can help normalise conversations around menstruation and ensure that individuals have the necessary support during their periods.
As we reflect on the strides made, let us remember that our collective efforts, big and small, hold the potential to transform lives and pave the way for a more equitable future. By breaking taboos and advocating for change, we can all ensure that no one is held back by something as natural as menstruation. Let us stand together in solidarity and champion empowerment for all. It’s only through our continued dedication and action that we can create a world where every person can manage their periods with dignity.
Esther Ng Yi Ke pursued a Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Honours) at Taylor’s University before transferring to the University of Bristol. She combines her passion for advocacy with her love for writing to craft impactful narratives that inspire change and promote inclusivity within society.
