By Ashlyn Diederich

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Alexandra Dunn

Abstract

This project examines the “pink tax,” a term used to describe the tendency for products marketed toward women to cost more than similar products marketed toward men. Research shows that women’s personal care products cost about 13% more on average, and women’s products overall cost about 7% more. At the same time, women globally earn approximately 77% of men’s average earnings, meaning they often pay more while earning less. These patterns highlight how everyday pricing structures can contribute to broader gender inequality on a global scale.

In addition to gender-based pricing, this project explores menstrual product taxation. While the pink tax reflects company pricing strategies, menstrual product taxes are government-imposed sales taxes on items such as tampons and pads. Despite being a biological necessity, these products are still taxed as standard goods in many countries, raising concerns about equity and access worldwide.

This research takes a global approach in two main areas. First, I analyze matched product comparisons from different countries to identify pricing differences between similar men’s and women’s products. Second, I examine international policy responses to menstrual product taxation and present a color-coded world map illustrating where these taxes have been eliminated and where they remain.

Overall, this project demonstrates how both global market practices and government policies contribute to gender-based economic disparities in everyday consumer experiences.