Modern, bold, free, and sparkling, Coralie loudly and clearly asserts her uniqueness. The woman behind the scenes at Cabaret de Licques explains how she ensures gender parity within the cabaret and the actions implemented to guarantee equality and the well-being of all female artists and employees.
Coralie, what is your role at Cabaret de Licques?
My name is Coralie Longuepez; I am responsible for all individual and group customer relations, and I actively participate in the commercial development of Cabaret de Licques.
Coralie Longuepez, Customer Relations Manager at Cabaret de Licques[/caption]
Can you tell us more about yourself and your background?
I am originally from the Lille metropolitan area and am 38 years old. I am passionate about fashion and played basketball for a long time as my team’s point guard. I studied in Lille and graduated in Technical and Tertiary Sciences, specializing in “Administrative Action and Communication.” During my studies and to gain independence, I worked for a large restaurant chain until I was permanently hired as a floor manager. That is where I met my future husband, and we then opened our first restaurant in 2009.
What measures has Cabaret de Licques taken to guarantee gender equality?
The arts and entertainment sector has long lagged behind regarding women’s rights. Fortunately, things are changing, and Cabaret de Licques is a model student.
To go further each year, we focus on three areas: recruitment, access to management positions, and employee training.
Thus, we ensure that recruitment is organized in compliance with parity rules. To date, the workforce within the Cabaret is moving toward equality. And we are currently recruiting an inside sales representative to complete the team. But beyond the number of employees, we also ensure equality in terms of skills. Training actions are regularly implemented through AFDAS (the skills operator for the culture, creative industries, media, communication, telecommunications, sports, tourism, leisure, and entertainment sectors). Our goal is to enhance the skills of our new recruits throughout their careers and to fill management positions equitably. I will personally see to it!
Are specific actions within the cabaret world necessary to ensure the well-being of women?
Indeed, we are working toward this with various professional organizations. We are members of CAMULC and the CNM. The former represents our professional union. The latter is the National Music Center, which supports the development of variety shows and music at both national and international levels. We recently attended an important event for Cabaret de Licques, but also for the profession, which was discussed during a round table on October 12 at the Moulin Rouge in the presence of institutional members and all professionals: The development of a commitment charter “Culture Cabaret – A Creative and Responsible Approach” to promote and implement gender equality and thus combat sexist violence in the performing arts. Furthermore, we are committed to providing a setting in which women can thrive in complete safety, both on stage and in the dining room. To this end, we have chosen to work with the “#Ici c’est cool” movement. We have followed their webinars “Understanding and preventing sexist, homophobic, and sexual violence in festive environments” and “Welcoming a victim and knowing how to react as a witness in a festive setting?”. In conclusion, we are carrying out this voluntary approach within our cabaret but also at the national level so that our sector can be exemplary.
