JI'NAN, March 31(Xinhua) -- A senior Chinese legislator has called for greater efforts to promote women's awareness and ability to safeguard their legitimate rights and interests.

Chen Zhili, vice chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, made the remarks during a week-long inspection tour of the eastern Shandong Province ending Wednesday.

Chen was sent by the top legislature to inspect how local law enforcement agencies implemented the Law on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Women.

The law, which took effect on Dec. 1, 2005, had played an important role in protecting women's legitimate rights, raising their social status and mobilized them in the country's modernization drive in an active and innovative manner, she said.

She called for more efforts to publicize the law to make people aware of the law's significance in protecting women's rights.

Chen, also chairwoman of the All-China Women's Federation, said Chinese women faced challenges such as discrimination and a lack of labor rights.