The invention is directed to an absorbent article having a front end region, a rear end region, a central region disposed between the front and rear end regions, and a transverse axis and a longitudinal axis. The absorbent article includes: a topsheet a backsheet an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet and a reinforcing structure disposed within the central region. In one aspect of the invention, the reinforcing structure includes a pair of traverse reinforcing elements each of which is formed by two traverse channels. The two traverse channels are disposed generally parallel to the transverse axis with a reinforcement distance such that the absorbent core has an average density of 5-500% (preferably 20-100%, and more preferably 30-60%) higher at the traverse reinforcing element than the fluids source area. The absorbent article of the invention provides improved leakage protection of body fluids by the reinforcing structure which produces a sustainable force against a compressive force which is applied by the body of the wearer when the absorbent article is worn.
