They failed to take any at the last vote in 2006 and once again face an uphill struggle to attract voters.
"There are challenges but there is also a positive wave… voters think why not try women? We tried men for years," said Rola Dashti, one of 27 women running against 246 men.
The Western-educated economist in 40s contested the 2006 elections and received the highest number of votes among the female candidates. She believes the experience was constructive for women, as was the appointment of women to the Cabinet.
The 50-member National Assembly enacted a law in 2005 granting women the right to vote and run for office for the first time since its creation in 1962.
Two women have been appointed ministers but none has entered parliament in Kuwait where many believe a woman’s place is in the home.
Health Minister Massouma Al Mubarak resigned last year under pressure from deputies critical of her handling of a hospital fire. Education Minister Nouriya Al Subaih survived a no-confidence vote this January.
Al Subaih also faced harsh criticism from Islamist MPs for refusing to cover her hair when taking the oath of office.
Women account for some 55 per cent of voters as a rule banning military servicemen from voting skews the numbers in their favour.
They are pushing for change. "Women’s entry into parliament is a necessity," said Shi’ite Islamist activist Khadeja Al Mehmeed at a rally in support of liberal female candidates.
Hessah Mohammed, a female voter, said: “Women will enter parliament. If there are qualified and capable women … women will win.”
Yet politics remains a man’s world, with many women taking voting advice from husbands or fathers. “Women are not convincing when they present their issues. They are inexperienced," said voter Hashem Saad, in 50s.
Independent female candidates also face a tough time competing against alliances of tribes and Islamists.
"Women’s chances are better this time… They will get better results, but I doubt that they will get into parliament," former oil minister Ali Al Baghli said. “With the strong tribal and sectarian alliances, each group wants someone to represent them and would rather choose a man."
Some have suggested introducing a quota for women in the assembly, a system in place in several Arab countries.
But many women are opposed to such positive discrimination and would prefer to win on merit, even if it takes years.
"The quota system suggests that women cannot enter the assembly on merit, and I am against this," said Aseel Al Awadi, 39, a university professor and the only female candidate of the liberal National Democratic Alliance.
"I hope voters will help us to prove that women can enter parliament through elections and not through quota.”
But with no experience in parliament, women have no track record on which to campaign.
"I hope they will have the opportunity this time…but women have a weak chance, not a strong one … to enter the assembly," Kuwait University finance professor Amani Bouresli said.
