This study evaluates the opportunities available to women to advance educationally and professionally in Italy. Data from official Italian publications are used to compare the enrollment of males and females in secondary, higher secondary, and university education, and to assess the availability for women of positions at the university level. The first part describes Italy's government-directed educational system, which begins with a private or state nursery school (scuole materne); a five-year, two-phase elementary school; and a three-year lower secondary school, entered by examination and leading to a lower secondary certificate at age 14. Students who choose to go on after obtaining this certificate are tracked into either training institutes or classical, scientific, or artistic Lycees that prepare students for higher education. Recent trends show that a growing percentage of Italian females are deciding to pursue higher education, technical training, or teacher training. Nevertheless, the disparity between opportunities for men and women at the university level is very acute. (TE)