Patented is an absorbent article for use as a diaper or incontinence guard. The article includes a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet and an absorbent body enclosed between the two. Seen in the longitudinal direction, the article has a front portion, a rear portion and, between them, a crotch portion. It also includes a pair of belt portions attached to the rear and front sections alternatively that are fastened together by first fastening means and around the waist of a wearer. The front and rear portions have alternatively second fastening means intended to be attached to the belt portions in such a way that the article will assume a pant-like shape. The belt portions form a part of the waist portions of the pant. Several stiffening elements are arranged on the inside of the belt portions at a certain distance from each other in such a way that air gaps are formed between the skin of the wearer and the inside of the belt between the stiffening elements. The largest extension of the stiffening elements is arranged across the belt in relation to the longitudinal direction of the belt. Each stiffening element has a cross-sectional thickness that is substantially greater than the cross-sectional thickness of each belt portion.