The pink tax describes the practice of charging higher prices for products targeted toward women than similar products targeted toward men. This includes the tampon tax and the additional tax on menstrual products in some states. The pink tax is not an actual tax but rather a term used to describe the overall phenomenon of overcharging for products used primarily by women.

The impact of the pink tax is significant, as it can make necessary hygiene products unaffordable for many people. This can lead to using unsanitary and uncommonly used products as replacements, which can be detrimental to health. For instance, in Zimbabwe, girls in rural areas have been forced to use cow dung and old blankets as makeshift menstrual products due to the high cost of pads. Cow dung is commonly used as fertilizer or construction material, and using it as a menstrual product is both unsanitary and unhealthy.

The pink tax is not just a problem in developing countries but a global problem. The cost of menstrual products can also be prohibitively high in the United States, especially for low-income individuals. In addition to the cost of the products, the tampon tax can add an additional financial burden. This can make it difficult for people to afford the products they need to manage their menstrual cycles, leading to missed work or school days and other negative impacts on their daily lives.

Depending on the state in America, the amount of tax on menstrual products varies. No matter the amount, the addition of taxation on sanitary products makes their inaccessibility much more significant. 

IOL– a website used to convey South African news stories— had an article/video published on July 13, 2022, called “Girls in rural Zimbabwe forced to use cow dung, old blankets for sanitary wear due to high cost of pads.” Similarly, africanews.com also posted an article titled “Zimbabwe girls resort to cow dung for sanitary pads.” Both the articles/videos illustrate the struggles girls undergo due to the unavailability and costliness of sanitary products by illustrating the use of uncommonly used hygiene products. Both articles use the example of girls in Zimbabwe using cow dung to replace sanitary pads. Cow dung is commonly used as fertilizer, construction material, etc., so using it as a menstrual product is quite uncanny. The africanews.com article describes the process in which cow dung is used. They first dry the cow dung, wrap the cloth around it–so it doesn’t irritate the skin– then use it to block the uterus. 

South Africa used to have a Tampon Tax of 15%! So along with the product’s fee, women had to pay another 15% of that cost. Although the Tampon Tax has significantly decreased, the unaffordability of Menstrual products has resulted in unsanitary products, which can be detrimental to health.

At cleanFLO, we aim to educate everyone about the pink tax and create a movement to make menstrual products more affordable and accessible. We believe that these essential hygiene products should not be considered a luxury and that everyone should have access to them. By joining cleanFLO, you can help us raise awareness about this issue and advocate for change. Together, we can work to eliminate the pink tax and ensure that menstrual products are treated as the necessities that they are. We invite you to join us in this important effort to promote menstrual equity and positively impact the lives of people everywhere.