This Australian Café Is Addressing The Gender Pay Gap By Charging Male Customers More

There are many ways that women stand up and address issues revolving around women's rights. We write, we campaign, we march. But this café in Melbourne, Australia had another idea that would make people step back and think about gender inequality and male privilege.

Vegan eatery Handsome Her has made headlines after becoming a feminist café that gives both preferential seating to women and an 18% surcharge to male customers, named “man tax” in a bid to address the gender pay gap.

[Instagram/@handsomeher]

In the café, responses have been positive from both men and women, with male customers even leaving cash donations for the cause.

Owner Alex O'Brien told Broadsheet: “I do want people to think about it, because we've had this [pay gap] for decades and decades and we're being it to the forefront of people's minds. I like that it is making men stop and question their privilege a little bit.”

Money made from Handsome Her's 'man tax' initiative goes to local female welfare charity, Elizabeth Morgan House Aboriginal Women's Services.

The café's 'House Rules' are as follows:

Rule #1: Women have priority seating.

Rule #2: Men will be charged an 18% premium to reflect the gender pay gap (2016) which is donated to a women's service.

Rule #3: Respect goes both ways.

Despite customers at the café reacting positively, social media has had some other ideas, with men lashing out at Handsome Her, labelling the café's rules as “sick” and “sexist”.

What a shame that they don't see the pay gap as sick or sexist when they get their pay cheque each month...