working hours and also to give the most effective protection to pregnant women. Currently, a draft law on parental leave was being debated in Parliament. As a result of the lower birth rate, child-care facilities were sufficient in northern ana central Italy, but inadequate in southern Italy where the birth rate WaE higher. 5, steps were being taken to overcome cultural stereotypes 61, Under article at school and in the media by means of the services of the @*women’s window” and through women’s organieations. The study made by the National Commission on sexist linguistic forms in the Italian language would be made available to -members as soon as possible. Italy had difficulties in promoting laws against pornography as Parliament was opposed to the introduction of censorship. 68. Prostitution, in the context of’artiole 6, did not constitute a crime, but the exploitation of prostitution, traffic in women and the incitement to prostitution were punishable offences. The number of such offences, however, had been declining in recent years. She said that the presence of prostitutes No statistics emisted onthe exact from non-EEC countries was increasing. number of prostitutes. Rehabilitation centres existed in Italy. The incidence of AIDS had stabilized among the most susceptible groups, but it was on the inoreaseamo-ng heterosexuals,~rainly in connection with drug @diction, were provided G9. On article 7, statistics administration, in the judiciary ana in the -Italian Parliament, women oonstituted 10 per in the cadres of political parties and trade 15 and 40 per cent of the representatives. The major obstacles, the highest eahelons, of politicians and the elestoral laws. She tended to subsidise men rather than women. on Italian European cent of unions, Only very she said, also said women in public Parliament.In the the representatives, and they constituted between few womenwere found at were the working hours that pressure groups 70. Concerning article 0, the law that authorized women to take up a diplomatic career had entered into force in 1963, which was too recent to have allowed women to reach the rank of ambassador. 71. On article Constitutional transmit their 9 it was reported that, following Court, the mother had rights equal nationality to their children. judgement to those a date No. 71 of the of the father to 72. On article 10, the representative said that at the end of the Fascist era, Italy had had the fourth lowest literacy rate in Europet however, currently, more girls than boys finished their higher education. Women could be found in all university faculties, but they were less numerous in the scientific ones. 73. Referring to article 11, she said that Italian legislation prohibited dismissal for reasons of marriage or pregnancy and entitlea women to choose any profession, including the highest positions in administration and diplomacy. Currently, the chamber of Deputies was discussing draft laws referring to the promotion of female heads of enterprise. The Government had earmarked funding in the budget to provide an indemnity for housewives who were victims of accidents in tire home, ma a retirement pension for housewives. She provided figures for the employment and unemployment of women in general, and for southern Italy in particular, and for different sectors of -17-