Slovak Parliament passes constitutional amendment defining two genders

The Slovak Parliament has passed a sweeping constitutional amendment that enshrines the definition of only two genders — male and female — into the nation's founding legal document.

The legislation also includes provisions aimed at reinforcing traditional family values, regulating adoption, banning surrogacy, and guaranteeing equal pay for men and women performing the same work, Caliber.Az reports, citing Slovak media.

The amendment was passed on September 25 with 90 votes in favour out of 99 MPs present, just meeting the minimum threshold required for constitutional changes. Seven MPs opposed the motion, while two abstained from voting. No members refrained entirely.

According to its proponents, the amendment seeks to strengthen Slovakia’s sovereignty on cultural and ethical issues and respond to what they view as growing external pressure to alter traditional societal norms.

“Strengthening the protection of traditional values is key to preserving the cultural heritage of the Slovak Republic and ensuring legal stability,” the approved government proposal stated.

“The constitutional amendment responds to the need to safeguard the cultural heritage enshrined in the preamble of the Slovak Constitution, particularly in recognising marriage between a man and a woman as a unique union.”

The constitution will now define gender strictly based on biological criteria, explicitly stating that “the mother is a woman and the father is a man.”

The use of surrogacy will be constitutionally prohibited.

The amendment affirms a child's right to know their parents and further reinforces parental authority within the educational system.

It introduces a constitutional guarantee of equal remuneration for men and women performing the same work.

The changes emphasise Slovakia's autonomy in matters such as marriage, family, education, healthcare, culture, language, and other social domains.

The amendment builds upon a joint motion submitted in June by the governing coalition, the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH), and members of the Christian Union, reflecting the increasing alignment between Slovakia’s legislative direction and conservative Christian values.

By Vafa Guliyeva