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stakeholders who can give concrete input for developing an acceptable methodology for incorporating women’s unaccounted contribution in the GDP. This will help with recognition of women’s contribution to the economy and society.

Secondly, the government should also put adequate attention to reduction of and redistribution of unpaid work. The government may undertake programmes which can contribute to reduce women’s workload within the household. Examples of such initiatives may include increasing access to drinking water and natural gas for cooking, as well as establishing childcare centres, which may in turn reduce the time spent by women on household work.

Stricter legal measures should be introduced by the government to eliminate wage discrimination against women in all sectors, as lower wages compared to men is one of the key reasons behind lower contribution of women in the national economy. NGOs and women’s organisations could play an active role towards this.

I strongly believe that a gradual reduction in the time spent on unpaid care activities, traditionally performed by women, can make the society better off.

LS: Pink Tax is something that we are all aware of. And this is existent in every discipline. Women are paying more for essentially everything they purchase in the name of marketing. Can you elaborate on this from an economic aspect?

FK: Quite often, an extra amount of hidden tax is imposed for women’s products. This method of pricing for products used by women is a price discrimination. In my mind, Pink tax is an unfair price hike for products that women use.

In the context of Bangladesh, many products that are used by women, such as cosmetics, beauty products, shampoo and sanitary napkins, and even services such as beauty parlours and salons, are taxed differently than male oriented services. Such tax is discriminatory. They do not follow economic logic. Particularly, products like sanitary napkin is an essential hygiene product and not a luxury item. These are needed by women from all types of economic backgrounds. Any discriminatory measures against women should be demolished. But I feel the issue of Pink Tax is still a less discussed issue in Bangladesh. There is a lack of awareness among the shopkeepers and customers. But the key responsibility lies with the manufacturers, who put a price tag on products, and with the policy makers who formulate regulatory measures.

Interview by Mehrin Mubdi Chowdhury

Photo: Fahmida Khatun