Flipping the Pink Tax to Blue Tax (Part 2): Women-Centred Initiatives

As alluded to in the first part of this series, I suggested that introducing the ‘blue tax’ could provide a crucial funding source for programs to uplift Pacific women, focusing on education, health services, and business support. I explained it more in my previous blog (please start on part one of this series if this is new to you), where I suggested that by charging men more for certain products and services, this innovative approach could help address the unique challenges women face in the region and pave the way for significant societal benefits.

Reading through the literature, these are a few recommendations I've come up with (and I've tried to be succint):

1. Supporting Education Initiatives 

Investing in education is one of the most powerful ways to empower women and girls, and I will live and breathe by the mantra that education is our most powerful ally. In the Pacific, access to quality education can sometimes be limited due to cultural, financial, or logistical barriers.

A blue tax could thus help create scholarships, mentorship programs, and literacy initiatives for women and girls, which are essential for breaking the cycle of poverty. According to the World Bank (Yeh, 2018), every additional year of schooling for girls can increase their future earnings and improve their families' overall health and well-being.

By allocating funds from a blue tax toward educational opportunities, we can foster a more educated and skilled female workforce, which benefits both individuals and the broader economy.

2. Enhancing Health Services 

Women’s health is critical to community health, yet access to comprehensive health services often remains limited in many Pacific nations. How many times have we heard stories of maternal health and how things may have been different if a clinic was nearer to a village or access to fast transportation on good roads, for example?

A blue tax could fund maternal and reproductive health services, mental health initiatives, and preventative care programs specifically designed for women. Research in the Lancet Global Health journal has shown that investing in women's health improves families' and communities' health outcomes.

Healthier women are more likely to work, engage in their communities, and contribute to economic growth. Society can reap the benefits by prioritizing women's health through targeted funding.

3. Business Support and Entrepreneurship 

Entrepreneurship plays a vital role in economic development, but women entrepreneurs often face numerous barriers, including limited access to financing, networks, and training. This has improved somewhat, and it is heartwarming to see groups like the Young Entrepreneurs Council Solomon Islands (YECSI) creating safe spaces for young female entrepreneurs.

The blue tax could create targeted business support initiatives, such as micro-loans, training workshops, and incubator programs designed to empower women to start and grow their businesses. Research by Kabeer (2018) emphasises that investing in women’s economic empowerment uplifts individuals and stimulates broader economic growth.

By fostering an entrepreneurial culture among women, communities can benefit from innovation, increased job creation, and more resilient local economies.

4. Addressing Social Challenges 

Implementing a blue tax could also provide funds to address social challenges that disproportionately affect women, such as domestic violence and discrimination. It is the week of the 16 Days of Activism and allllll of these conversations about DV, the gendered disparity of wages, the invisible labour women do in their households, etc - they all need to be had. And they need to be resourced.

By providing resources for awareness campaigns, legal support, and shelters, we can create a safer environment for women and girls. Studies have shown that communities that actively work to reduce violence against women also experience improved economic productivity and enhanced overall well-being (Heise, 2011).

With dedicated funding from a blue tax, these critical issues can be addressed more effectively.

5. Building Community Resilience 

A targeted fund sourced from a blue tax can help build community resilience by investing in initiatives focusing on women's empowerment and strengthening families and communities.

Programs aimed at improving childcare, fostering gender equality awareness, and promoting healthy family dynamics can create a supportive environment for all community members. SolTuna is TAKING THE LEAD in this arena, with their childcare facility for their employees.

Research indicates that communities where women are empowered and engaged are often more cohesive and resilient in the face of economic, environmental, or social challenges (Gasper, 2003).

Conclusion 

In saying all that, I strongly believe that charging men more through a blue tax addresses financial inequities and opens the door for targeted investment in programs that uplift women in the Pacific. We can create a more equitable society by allocating funds from this tax toward education, health services, business support, and social programs. Research consistently shows that empowering women leads to broader economic growth and societal well-being, making a compelling case for implementing a blue tax as a strategic tool for transformative change in the region.

Ultimately, creating a fund specifically designed to address women's needs and challenges is not just a financial investment—it's an investment in the entire community's future. By prioritising women's empowerment, we can cultivate an environment that promotes equality, drives economic progress, and builds a stronger, more resilient Pacific region for future generations.

References 

Heise, L. (2011). What works to prevent partner violence? An evidence overview.

Kabeer, N. (2018). Gender, livelihood capabilities and women’s economic empowerment: reviewing evidence over the life course.

Gasper, D. (2003). Nussbaum's capabilities approach in perspective: purposes, methods and sources for ethics of human development. ISS Working Paper Series/General Series, 379, 1-38.

Yeh, A. (2018). Gender, Development and the World Bank-A Critical Discourse Analysis of women in World Development Reports between 1998-2018.