Slovakian Expert Depicts Struggle to Protect Unborn Life and Families

Bratislava, Slovakia – As in past years, UPF-Slovakia held an event to commemorate the UN International Day of Families. This year Mr. Patrik Daniška, a lawyer and prominent figure from the Catholic movement, was the guest speaker at the event on May 18, 2026. His talk was entitled “The Struggle for Life and Family – How to Succeed in It?”

Mr. Daniška is chairman of the Institute for Human Rights and Family Policy, and is best known as the main organizer of the National March for Life, which has taken place annually in various cities since 2013.

He began his talk with the question, “What is marriage?” to which his answer was: “Marriage is the complete union of persons. A complete union: physical, emotional and spiritual, oriented toward procreation and family life, a commitment to permanence and exclusivity.” He argued that from a physical and biological aspect, “only a relationship between a man and a woman makes sense.”  

Even in conservative Slovakia, the number of marriages is declining because opinions about cohabitation have changed. “It used to be natural for young people to strive for marriage. Today, parents encourage their children to enjoy life, study, travel, and so on. In their thirties they contemplate marriage, but their expectations are so high that they are unable to find a partner easily.”

The desire to have children is last on the list, and the sharp decline in the birthrate is alarming. In the 1970s, it was common for families to have an average of three children; today, families with one child are the norm. Even schoolchildren are geared towards having a one-child family. However, children who grow up in religious families, or in villages where families with several children are common, generally wish to have several children.

During his talk the speaker presented a wealth of data showing how family life relates to happiness, with screen shots of the results of national and international surveys. All of them underlined the importance of protecting human life and the family unit with husband and wife as the center.

Mr. Daniška concluded by presenting pictures and videos from various pro-life marches. The evening ended with refreshments and discussion.

By UPF-Slovakia Staff May 18, 2026