An absorbent article comprising an absorbent core comprising: first and second longitudinally-extending channels substantially free of absorbent material; wherein the first longitudinally-extending channel is on one side of the longitudinal axis and the second longitudinally-extending channel is on the other side of the longitudinal axis, wherein the first and second longitudinally-extending channels have a length along a longitudinal axis; a central absorbent zone comprising absorbent material disposed between the first and second longitudinally-extending channels, wherein the central absorbent zone has an average basis weight; first and second lateral absorbent zones comprising absorbent material disposed transversally outwardly of the first longitudinally-extending channel and the second longitudinally-extending channel respectively, wherein the first and second lateral absorbent zones have an average basis weight; and a profiled basis weight configuration spanning the first lateral absorbent zone, the central absorbent zone, and the second lateral absorbent zone profiled in a transversal direction.