The Secret Tax Women Pay — That No One Talks About

We always talk about what it feels like to be a woman in our family, on social media, at conferences, on platforms, you name it.

We talk about equality, Visible gaps, disparities, women’s representation, or the glass ceiling. But the hidden layer of inequality that rarely gets the attention it deserves — a secret tax that women pay every day.

Here’s the Ugly Truth

Today, being a woman is expensive. And I don’t just mean the Pink Tax — that ridiculous markup on razors, deodorants, and dry cleaning. I mean, the hidden costs we pay every single day just for existing.

We’re doing this subconsciously because of social conditioning.

The ones no one warns you about.

Warn — Is a big word.

Everyone basically wants to tell women what to do.

“Being a woman is like having an invisible subscription service — you keep paying, but you never signed up.”

The Pink Tax

Honestly, I have spent 26 years on this earth, and I got to know about this last year. that is the power of these secret taxes.

According to a 2015 research by the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs, women’s items are 7% more expensive on average than men’s. Women are constantly charged more for everything, including shampoo, clothes, and dry cleaning.

The pink tax is also widely practiced in India. Tier10 Labs’ 2020 analysis found that women’s personal care goods in India are priced 8–15% more than men’s.

A Deloitte survey found that women spend $1,351 more on personal care items worldwide each year than men do. This is more than simply a few extra bucks here and there; it is a systemic issue that accumulates over time.

As Hillary Clinton famously stated, “the stubborn wage gap an issue that affects the “broader economy,” noting that “last time I checked, there’s no discount for being a woman. Groceries don’t cost us less.”

The Time Tax

While the pink tax hits hard women’s finances, the time tax steals their time. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), Women globally represent 76.2% of all unpaid care work, including childcare, housekeeping, and elder care. And If unpaid care work were monetized, it would add considerably to GDP, often leading to 40% in some nations.

Indian women spend 299 minutes each day on unpaid household work, compared to only 97 minutes for males. That’s 5 hours of unpaid labor every day, which women may be utilized for education, job, skill development, or perhaps self-improvement. {According to the National Statistical Office (NSO)}

Melinda Gates said it best: “We need to recognize as a society that all of our economies around the world are built on the backs of women’s unpaid labor.”

The Health Tax

Women’s healthcare bills are one more hidden burden.

In India, economic and cultural barriers usually lead to the neglect of women’s healthcare.

According to an Oxfam India survey from 2021, 60% of rural Indian women avoid essential healthcare treatments due to the high cost.

In India, 71% of girls cannot afford sanitary pads, which highlights the problem of period poverty. This problem is worsened by the high cost of sanitary products and the lack of affordable alternatives, according to a period Hygiene Alliance of India survey.

I completely agree with Elizabeth Warren (United States Senator) when she stated,” Medicare for All, which would provide all Americans with a public health care program. Medicare for All is the best way to give every single person in this country a guarantee of high-quality health care.

The Career Tax: Motherhood Tax

Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Meta, said, “Being a mother is the most rewarding — and hardest — job many of us will ever have… (and) for most moms, it’s only one of many jobs we have.”

Motherhood Penalties and Workplace Biases —

i. The motherhood penalty in the United States causes economic difficulties for mothers.

ii. Mothers are biased in hiring, promotion, and compensation decisions.

iii. In India, 85% of working mothers feel ignored for promotions or increases after childbirth.

iv. World Bank research found that just 18% of women return to work after childbirth due to cultural expectations and lack of supporting rules and regulations.

v. India’s 26-week paid maternity leave may disadvantage women because of the associated expenditures and operational challenges.

Sometimes for women, being a Mother isn’t just a personal choice — it’s an economic setback.

It sounds harsh, and reality hit hard. Maybe this is why today women don’t want to get married.

The Safety Tax

Women also pay a safety tax — additional fees for protecting themselves in a society where they still face assault and discrimination.

Almost one in every three women worldwide has suffered physical and/or sexual violence at least once in their lives, most of which occurred in public places. By 2023, an estimated 736 million women will have suffered such an attack.

2021 Survey on Women’s Harassment:

i. A UN Women survey shows that 81% of women have experienced harassment or violence in public spaces.

ii. UN Women and other organizations are working on safer public spaces and policies.

iii. NCRB reports a 15.3% increase in crimes against women in 2021.

iv. Women in India often spend on safety measures, highlighting financial burdens.

This isn’t paranoia; it’s reality.

As Malala Yousafzai once said, “There are two powers in the world; one is the sword, and the other is the pen. There is a third power stronger than both, that of women.”

The Price We Pay: Why This Conversation Matters For All of Us

Some of us aren’t aware of these taxes because it’s how we raise like it’s our duty. In every country and every century, you find one thing in common: The Secret Tax Women Pay but That No One Talks About.

It gives us a reminder that inequality isn’t just about what’s visible; it’s about what’s hidden in plain sight. But here’s the good news: we don’t have to accept it.

So, the question is lying here: Why should we leave everything behind and still face the consequences?