Kalima was established in 1986.[2] The founder was a radical women organization, Union de l'Action Feminine.[3] The publisher was Nourreddine Ayouch.[1]
The magazine's goal was to emphasize that "gender roles, sexuality, and even division of labor were neither divinely prescribed nor ordained by nature, but had a historical origin."[2] It adopted a progressive feminist stance in dealing with social, economic, political and cultural aspects of women's life.[4] It also addressed critical issues in Morocco,[5][6] including abandoned children in the country.[7] It was the first Moroccan magazine which contained articles on taboo subjects such as abortion, child prostitution, single mothers, drugs and sexuality.[8][9] In addition, Kalima included pages on news and on cinema.[10]
The founding and only editor-in-chief of the magazine was Hind Taarji.[4][11] Fatima Mernissi was among the contributors of Kalima.[12]
The Moroccan authorities confiscated the March 1989 issue of the magazine[5] which contained articles about male prostitution and the lack of free press in Morocco.[4][8] These publications led to the closure of the magazine on 25 April 1989.[13]