The 2015 Debate on BBC World explores the changing roles of women in the Arab world

BBC World presenter Zeinab Badawi will moderate this discussion in Cairo, Egypt, which is part of the United Nations' "2015 - where will we be" project, raising awareness and informed debate about its Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The debate focuses on Arab women's shifting roles in education, media and politics, as well as Islam and the veil, and features a panel of distinguished female figures including:

• Dr. Alanoud Al Sharek: A leading Kuwaiti specialist in Arabic feminist literature and the Assistant Professor at the Arab Open University.

• Nadia Bakhurji: A trustee board member of the Arab International Women's Forum and the first woman in Saudi history to attempt to run for public office.

• Dr. Amani Abuel Fadl: A published author and currently an English Literature Professor at Cairo University, Dr. Abuel Fadl is also a female activist and the former representative of the International League of Women and Children under the Al Azhar University (religious) and the United Nations for seven years.

• Dr. Hoda Badran: Head of the Alliance for Arab Women, a pan-Arab network of NGOs, Dr. Badran hosted the first ever legal awareness seminar for women, educating them about their rights.

• Abir Abuturkia: CEO of Eneramass Oil Service Co., her own private company.

• Sultana El-Jehan: Chairwoman of a Yemeni NGO.