Fighting to end the “high cost of being a woman”
A group of state legislators came together on Monday to call for an end to what they call the “high cost of being a woman” in the state of Ohio. Representatives Greta Johnson (D), Kevin Boyce (D) and Emilia Sykes (D) introduced legislation to end the sales tax on feminine hygiene products including tampons, pads, menstrual cups and sanitary belts.
“The “Pink Tax” is an additional burden placed on women that intensifies the gender wage gap and makes preventative healthcare for women more expensive.”
-Representative Emilia Sykes (D-Akron)
Estimates are that a woman may spend approximately $1,800 on tampons over the course of her lifetime.
“Essential feminine hygiene products are a necessity, not a luxury. Women have to fight to earn equal pay for equal work and the ‘Pink Tax’ is yet another hurdle that we must overcome.”
-Representative Greta Johnson (D-Akron)
Those in favor of eliminating the so-called “Pink Tax” call it a matter of equal rights for women.
“No one should face extra economic challenges simply because of their gender.”
-Representative Kevin L. Boyce (D-Columbus)
Ohio is not the first state to consider the matter. Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland and Minnesota have eliminated the tax on feminine hygiene goods. Canada and Australia have also done so recently. (jj)
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