Marie El Hanafi represents the Peruvian brand with great energy and panache at events throughout France and Navarre (and even beyond). She is also a talented mixologist!
Were you easily accepted by your male colleagues?
Yes, the team wanted to bring a woman on board. I sometimes had to raise my voice to be heard, but today, my voice really counts. On the other hand, some rum ‘fans’ initially saw me as nothing more than a ‘marketing tool’: a woman who looks good… Now I’m the one leading our key projects!
When you started five years ago, were there many women in the rum industry?
A few talented ones, but they weren’t given enough prominence.
Are there more today?
Absolutely! You see women at all levels! In fact, the Women Leading Rum association brings them together so that they can be seen and valued.
Do you think women really hold positions of power in the rum industry?
Increasingly, yes. We already influence major decisions and positions of high responsibility are opening up to us.
What could be done to better encourage women to pursue careers in the rum industry?
Integrate them everywhere: showcase role models, launch mentoring programmes and real training courses (I am actually setting up a course dedicated to rum) and ensure a safe and inclusive environment.
Have you ever encountered sexist behaviour and/or harassment in the course of your work and travels?
Yes, at the beginning: online harassment for a video where ‘my cleavage was too provocative’. Insults, obscene remarks, questioning of my intelligence… Not great, but I’m still here!
