A California senator is fighting gender inequality with the 'Equal Gender Pricing Bill.'
State Senator Ben Hueso of San Diego has proposed legislation that would end discriminatory pricing practices that make women pay more for similar products than men.
The bill would eliminate price discrepancies on like products for men and women and would require retailers and grocers to notify customers of their right not to be charged differently for comparable merchandise.
“It is unfair that female products are priced higher than men’s,” Senator Hueso said. “Why are retailers pulling extra money from women when data already shows that they earn about 84 cents for every dollar men earn? This needs to change. It’s about time we stand up to the retailers and fight for equal product pricing for all.”
Women’s products cost an average of 42% more 18% of the time according to a 2015 study by the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs.
The study looked across multiple industries, including toys and accessories, children and adult clothing, and personal and home health care products for seniors.
“All consumers, regardless of their gender, should pay the same price for the same product. Pink packaging or gender-based marketing is no justification for charging more,” said Richard Holober, Executive Director of the Consumer Federation of California. “Anything less than an equal price is discrimination and blatantly unfair.”
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California has protected consumers against gender price discrimination in the service industry since 1996. The bill would provide the same protections to both genders on the pricing of consumer goods.
The 'Equal Gender Pricing Bill' is co-authored by Assembly member Lorena Gonzales and sponsored by the Consumer Federation of California.
