Pink Tax to Pink Cheques: Empowering Women’s Finances

Spread the love

In a world striving for gender equality, the financial landscape remains an arena where women often encounter unique challenges. From the notorious “Pink Tax” to the broader disparities in income and investment opportunities, women continue to navigate a financial terrain that is far from equitable. This blog delves into the various dimensions of financial challenges faced by women and explores avenues to bridge the gap, transforming the narrative from the Pink Tax to Pink Cheques.

The Pink Tax Phenomenon

The Pink Tax refers to the extra amount women are often charged for products and services compared to their male counterparts. From personal care items to dry cleaning, women frequently find themselves paying more for essentially the same products or services. This insidious practice not only affects the day-to-day expenses of women but also contributes to a larger financial burden over time. Recognizing and addressing the Pink Tax is a crucial step towards dismantling financial inequalities at the most basic level.

Wage Disparities

Despite significant strides in the fight for equal pay, a gender pay gap persists in many industries. Women, on average, earn less than men for the same work, which hampers their ability to accumulate wealth over time. Closing this pay gap requires a collective effort from governments, businesses, and society as a whole. Implementing transparent pay practices, advocating for equal pay legislation, and fostering a culture of fairness in the workplace are essential steps towards achieving wage equality.

Investment Disparities

Women also face disparities in investment opportunities, contributing to a widening wealth gap. Studies show that women are often more risk-averse when it comes to investing, and they may have less access to financial education. Bridging this gap involves empowering women with financial literacy, providing equal access to investment opportunities, and fostering an environment that encourages women to take control of their financial futures.

The Entrepreneurial Gender Gap

Entrepreneurship is a powerful avenue for economic empowerment, but women entrepreneurs face unique challenges. Access to capital, networking opportunities, and biases in the entrepreneurial ecosystem can hinder women from establishing and growing successful businesses. Initiatives that support female entrepreneurship, provide mentorship, and offer financial resources can help level the playing field.

Work-Life Balance and Financial Planning

Women often bear the brunt of caregiving responsibilities, which can impact their career trajectories and financial stability. Achieving a work-life balance is essential for women to fully participate in the workforce and make informed financial decisions. Policies supporting parental leave, flexible work arrangements, and affordable childcare are instrumental in empowering women to balance career aspirations with family responsibilities.

The journey from the Pink Tax to Pink Cheques requires a multifaceted approach. It involves dismantling discriminatory pricing practices, advocating for equal pay, addressing investment disparities, supporting female entrepreneurship, and fostering work environments that enable work-life balance. By collectively challenging and transforming these financial norms, society can create a more inclusive and equitable landscape where women have equal opportunities to thrive financially. The road ahead may be challenging, but with concerted efforts, we can replace financial obstacles with opportunities, ensuring that women not only break the glass ceiling but also build a solid financial foundation for themselves and generations to come.

Spread the love

Women in our country are advised at almost every 5th second of their life. Be it your family, your friends, or your partner, each one of them think the crime in our country is rising due to lack of knowledge. Wear a long dress, don’t be late, don’t walk alone, etc. are some of the statements that you get to hear daily.

Consequence? A rift is created between you and your loved ones.

So, what do we do? What steps do we need to take?

Firstly, we need to recognise that crimes against women are committed every minute in our country. For the better safety of women, the government needs to ensure better laws and even better execution. On the other hand, the empowered women of our country need to know the basic and important laws, so that they don’t have to feel overwhelmed or suppressed ever again. These laws will ensure you have enough power to take your stand in any situation.

Without further ado, let’s get started.

1: Special Marriage Act, 1954

Marriage and Divorce have been one of the major areas where women are suppressed either because they are not vocal enough, or they don’t have the necessary knowledge. A special form of marriage registration or divorce is provided under the Special Marriage Act, 1954. People from different faiths, casts can get married, given that they are of legal age.

2: Right to free legal aid

We often complain that no actions are taken for the harassed ones, and even their voice is subdued sometimes. However, you might not be aware that when a woman is either humiliated, ignored for a statement, she has all the right to demand free legal aid. Under Section-12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, you have been given the right to get free legal help and to be treated with the utmost attention.

3: Right against Harassment at Work

This might be one of the least known rights yet a crucial one for any working women in our country. The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013, seeks the protection of women at their workplace. It also includes prevention for the same and looks after the complaints of sexual harassment.

4: Right to get Maternity Benefits

Having your Maternity Benefits is a right given to you by the Government of India. Under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, any new mother is allowed to re-join her work in full flow after 12 weeks of her delivery, ensuring she doesn’t suffer any loss in her income. The Act entitles a woman to receive benefits like maternity leave, regular check-ups, medical allowances, etc. given she has worked in the organisation for a total of 80 days in the last 12 months, before her expected date of delivery.

5: Right against Domestic Violence

Be it the family of the Groom or the family of the Bride, they all advise you to keep your private matters behind closed doors, no matter how serious they get. This happens in most of the cases which results in cases of domestic violence all over the country. Every woman in our country, be it a wife, a mother, a sister, or a live-in partner has been given protection under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, against the violence of any kind at the hands of a male or the relatives.

6: Right to Equal Pay

Women in our country are not just harassed physically, but mentally too. We all talk about empowerment, but when it comes to equal wage rate and equal work opportunities, we don’t have enough institutions for the same. The provisions made under Section-4 of the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 directs an employer to pay the same wages for the same work.

7: Right to No Arrest

Under the Section-46 of Civil Procedure Code of India, 1973, no woman can be arrested after 6 PM and before 6 AM, even if an arrest warrant has been issued against the same person.

8: Right to Privacy

According to the Section-164 of the Criminal Procedure Code, any rape surviving woman has the right to give her statement in private in front of the magistrate. If she demands her privacy, no other official, or person will be allowed to hear her statement.

9: Right to Virtual Complaints

To bring more people to Justice, Delhi Police allowed women to lodge complaints online, that too without an FIR. Any woman is allowed to complain through e-mail or registered post to a Deputy Commissioner or Commissioner of Police. Proper Investigation and verification of the case are then carried out by the concerned area Police station. When found legitimate, the police then reach out to the victim for a statement.

10: Right to Anonymity

Due to the pressure build-up by the members of the family, not many women come out for justice, just to maintain the “dignity” of the family in society. However, Section- 228 (A) of the Indian Penal Code allows a sexually assaulted/harassed women to remain anonymous when her case is in the trial. She can give a private statement in front of the magistrate alone or the presence of a lady officer.

These were ten laws that all women need to know to protect themselves and their rights. However, there are many more laws that one should know to get fast-paced justice. On the other hand, we need a system that gives justice right in time. Remember, Justice Delayed is Justice Denied. Any change starts from the roots; this can be one change that you can bring into society by increasing awareness.