The broadcast journalist Katalina Tohi is among 15 women standing in the election next Thursday.
Over the past few years, women's groups have lobbied for temporary seats to be set aside for women in an effort to boost their representation rates.
There was only one female MP in the 26 seat parliament last term and only eight in total since 1951.
Those looking for greater representation suggest women need to be confident in voting for their own.
But Mrs Tohi said she wanted to be elected for being the best candidate available.
