WINDHOEK, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Namibia is making steady progress in combating domestic violence and general violence against women through introduction of various measures, a senior government official said Thursday.

The key measures taken by the country to combat rampant crimes against women include stiffer minimum sentences for rapists and provisions to explicitly criminalize marital rape, said Yvonne Dausab, chairperson of the Law Reform and Development Commission (LRDC) of Namibia.

She said Namibia also worked on the Combating of Domestic Violence Act which provides for protection orders in domestic violence matters.

"It spells out the critical role of police officers in the incidents of domestic violence offenses. The most notable achievement of this legislation is the provision of easy and quick protection orders for immediate relief," she said.

Dausab said the LRDC, a government commission charged with making recommendations for legal reform, has worked hard to consolidate the legislation framework that combats violence against women.

"Apart from the legislation, the LRDC has produced 30 reports on various topics, ranging from family law, customary law, administrative justice, insolvency, divorce, redline marriages, mental health, torture to name a few. We have also published an academically peer reviewed book, and annual reports setting out our activities," she said.