Kuwaiti women hailed as historic a decision to allow them to vote and run for parliament -- a law passed despite fierce resistance by Islamist and conservative MPs.

"Thank God now we've got our rights," university professor Siham Freih said on Tuesday. "Until yesterday Kuwait's image to the world was tarnished because women were taking part in all professional fields but were deprived of the vote."

"Before this I didn't feel like a citizen. They (lawmakers) restored our right that had been robbed from us," said law professor Dr Badria al-Awadi.