In a nation grappling with financial obstacles, South African women not only face a persistent gender pay gap, but also contend with a concerning phenomenon known as the “pink tax”.

The pink tax, while not an official levy, is a mark-up on certain goods marketed to women, such as toiletries and grooming products. Men pay less for similar products marketed to them.

Informal research conducted by personal finance website JustMoney.co.za in July 2023 lends credence to the existence of a pink tax, revealing a price discrepancy between gender-targeted products from the same brand, at the same retailer.

We talk to Erica Liebenberg, JustMoney editor in chief on how women can navigate pink tax and take better control of their finances