A belted absorbent article includes an absorbent structure extending about a first longitudinal axis, the absorbent structure including a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent batt disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, the absorbent structure having a transverse axis dividing the absorbent structure into a front panel terminating in a front end region and a rear panel terminating in a rear end region, the absorbent structure being delimited by opposed longitudinal edges and opposed transverse edges, and a pair of opposed belt halves including nonwoven material attached to the absorbent structure at the rear end region of the rear panel, each of the belt halves being attached by a respective joint, each belt half extending about a longitudinal axis of the belt such that each belt half extends outwardly from a respective longitudinal edge of the absorbent structure.