Dávka - Your daily dose of Slovak news
Last refreshed: 20/06/2026 21:40 · 28 articles added
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Women continue to outnumber men in Slovakia, with gap widest among seniors

Slovakia's female population continues to exceed its male population, according to recent statistics. The gender disparity is most pronounced among the elderly, where women significantly outnumber men. This reflects ongoing demographic trends showing women's longer life expectancy compared to men. Despite living longer, however, women in Slovakia continue to face economic disadvantages, with lower average incomes than their male counterparts.

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Society

Slovak students can register for IQ Olympics until March 31

Slovak students have until March 31 to register for the IQ Olympics, an academic competition that begins with online preliminary rounds. Participants who advance from the initial online phase will compete in regional selection rounds, with the most successful students ultimately competing in a national final. The competition provides students across Slovakia with an opportunity to test their intellectual abilities in a structured academic contest format.

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Society

Mental Health Specialists Launch Special Train Service for Individual Consultations

A special train featuring mental health professionals has been launched in Slovakia to provide passengers with individual counseling sessions during their journey. Specialists from IPčko, a mental health organization, are available on board to speak with travelers about psychological wellbeing and offer support. The initiative represents an innovative approach to making mental health services more accessible by bringing professionals directly to people during their daily commutes or travels.

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Society

Slovak Red Cross Advises Following Official Information Sources During Crisis

The Slovak Red Cross urged citizens to rely on official information sources during crisis situations. The organization recommended using emergency hotlines operated by Slovakia's Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, which remain available 24 hours a day at telephone numbers +421 2 5978 5978 and +421 906 075 978. The advisory comes as the humanitarian organization emphasizes the importance of accessing verified information channels during emergencies.

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Society

Slovak Railways Launches Mental Health Train with Expert Support

Slovak Railways has launched a Mental Health Train featuring mental health professionals from the Institute of Psychology providing advice and support to passengers. The initiative takes place in a special social car where experts offer guidance on psychological wellbeing. The program represents an innovative approach to making mental health services more accessible to the public by bringing professional support directly to train passengers during their journeys.

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Society

Mental Health Train Launches to Provide Support and Counseling Services

Slovakia's railways have launched a Mental Health Train featuring specialists who provide advice and psychological support to passengers. The initiative takes place in a specially designated social car, where mental health professionals offer counseling services. The project represents an innovative approach to making mental health support more accessible by bringing services directly to communities through the country's rail network.

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Society

Slovak Man Lives Openly with Permanent Colostomy Following Cancer Treatment

Martin Dobias, a Slovak man living with a permanent colostomy bag, has chosen to speak openly about his condition without shame or embarrassment. Dobias, who is classified as a colostomist, received the medical device following cancer treatment that required surgical intervention affecting his large intestine. His willingness to discuss his situation publicly represents an effort to reduce stigma around medical conditions that require visible medical equipment. The colostomy, which involves surgically creating an opening in the abdominal wall to allow waste to bypass damaged portions of the intestinal system, became necessary as part of his cancer treatment protocol.

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Society

Police Investigate Wave of Fraudulent Phone Calls in Žilina Region

Police in Slovakia's Žilina region are investigating a series of fraudulent phone calls after receiving ten reports of attempted scams across the area. The criminal investigation unit is handling the cases, with the majority of incidents concentrated around the city of Žilina itself. The Žilina region, located in northwestern Slovakia, encompasses one of the country's major urban centers and surrounding districts.

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Society

Slovakia's Population Statistics Show Gender Distribution by Age Groups

Women of productive age between 15 and 64 years represented nearly two-thirds (63.1 percent) of Slovakia's female population in 2024, according to newly released demographic statistics. The data provides insight into the age structure of Slovakia's population, revealing the distribution of women across different age categories within the country's overall demographic composition.

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Society

Vending Machine in Poprad Store Sold Products Containing Psychotropic Substances, Suspect Faces Charges

Police have charged a suspect for operating a vending machine in a Poprad store that sold products containing psychotropic substances. The individual now faces up to eight years in prison for the alleged offense. Poprad is a city in northern Slovakia near the High Tatras mountains, and psychotropic substances are controlled chemicals that affect the central nervous system and are subject to strict legal regulations.

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Society

Slovak Influencer Shares Story of Genetic Cancer Risk and Preventive Surgery Decision

Slovak food blogger and influencer Kristína Suchánková has shared her experience with genetic testing after her mother died of breast cancer when Suchánková was a teenager. Following her mother's diagnosis around age 14-15 and subsequent death three years later, Suchánková and her sister were recommended for genetic testing. Suchánková tested positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation while her sister tested negative. The BRCA1 mutation significantly increases the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer, often leading medical professionals to recommend preventive measures including prophylactic mastectomy. Suchánková expressed hope that her daughter will not have to undergo preventive mastectomy, suggesting ongoing medical advances may provide alternative solutions for managing genetic cancer risk in the future.

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Society

Slovak Therapist Reflects on Gender Equality and Women's Day Through Personal Experience

A Slovak therapist has shared personal reflections on gender equality and relationships in connection with International Women's Day. Writing about an experience from six years ago when she was pregnant, she described visiting an exhibition called "Fateful Women of Ľubovňa Castle" at Ľubovniansky Castle during a pandemic-era trip with her husband. The exhibition featured portraits of historically important women, which initially gave her hope that gender equality was within reach. However, her reflections suggest a more complex reality about relationships and the dynamics between being loved versus loving others. The piece appears to be part of a therapeutic column series examining social and personal issues through a psychological lens.

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Society

Prešov Attracts Growing Number of Visitors, Approaching Historic Maximum

Prešov, a city in eastern Slovakia, is experiencing a significant increase in tourist visitors and approaching record-high visitor numbers. The city, which serves as the administrative center of the Prešov Region, is planning to introduce a new cultural format as part of its efforts to attract more tourists. Prešov has been working to develop its tourism sector by capitalizing on its historical heritage and cultural offerings, with the new initiative representing part of broader efforts to boost the local economy through increased visitor spending.

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Society

Relationship Advice Column Addresses Pattern of Choosing Unavailable Partners

A Slovak advice column featured a reader seeking help with a recurring pattern in romantic relationships. The woman described having three serious relationships over fifteen years, each beginning with intense attraction and feelings of exceptional connection, but ultimately ending in disappointment when the men proved unable or unwilling to commit to stable, long-term partnerships. She detailed how her first partner was charismatic and spontaneous but avoided planning for the future, while subsequent relationships followed similar patterns of emotional unavailability despite initial promise.

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Society

Slovakia Observes Memorial Day for COVID-19 Pandemic Victims

Slovakia commemorated the Day of COVID-19 Pandemic Victims, a memorial day established in 2023 to honor those who died during the coronavirus pandemic. The observance reflects on the significant impact the pandemic had on the country, including the implementation of nationwide COVID-19 testing programs at the end of October and beginning of November 2020. The memorial day serves as an annual reminder of the human cost of the pandemic and the collective experience Slovakia went through during the global health crisis.

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Society

World Health Organization Recognizes Prolonged Grief as Mental Health Disorder

The World Health Organization has classified prolonged grieving that extends beyond six months as a mental health disorder. The classification, known as prolonged grief disorder, addresses cases where mourning continues for an extended period beyond what is considered typical grief recovery time. Mental health professionals use this diagnostic criteria to identify individuals who may need specialized treatment when their grief process becomes stuck or complicated, preventing them from returning to normal functioning after losing a loved one.

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Society

Slovak Tourist Clubs Lose Members Over Leadership's Political Involvement

Tourist clubs in Slovakia are experiencing membership losses due to concerns about their leadership's political involvement and lack of transparency. Members are objecting to the organizations' departure from apolitical governance, with widespread non-transparency emerging as a key complaint. The membership decline reflects growing dissatisfaction with how these recreational organizations are being managed, as members expect their clubs to remain focused on tourism activities rather than political matters.

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Society

Slovak Tourism Clubs Criticize Leadership for Political Bias and Lack of Transparency

Tourism clubs in Slovakia are expressing dissatisfaction with their national association's leadership, citing concerns over political involvement and widespread lack of transparency. The criticism has led to a decline in membership as clubs object to what they perceive as partisan leadership rather than the apolitical stance they expect from their governing body. The dispute highlights broader tensions within Slovakia's tourism sector over governance and organizational independence.

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Society

Slovak Train Conductors Refuse to Accept Digital Student ID Cards, Insist on Physical Cards

Train conductors in Slovakia are not accepting digital versions of ISIC student identification cards displayed on mobile phones, requiring passengers to present physical plastic cards instead. The ISIC (International Student Identity Card) allows students to receive discounts on train tickets, but the digital format is currently not recognized by railway staff. Both the Ministry of Transport and the card issuer are planning to introduce electronic verification capabilities for trains later this year, which would allow students to use their digital cards for travel discounts.

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