Progress has been made in curbing trans-border crime, control animal diseases and facilitate the movement of people between Namibia and Botswana. The observation was made by delegates to the 25th Session of the Namibia/Botswana Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security, which ended at Swakopmund on Thursday. The Commission reiterated its commitment towards the operation of the One-Stop Border Post and the extension of operating hours to 24 at the Mamuno-Trans-Kalahari Border Post. It acknowledged the two governments’ firm commitment and demonstration of political will to conclude the repatriation of Namibian refugees in Botswana. Delegates, however, noted with concern the continued prevalence of gender-based violence in the two countries, which in some cases culminate in murder and suicide. In this regard, the Commission called for exchange of information and joint strategies to empower women and other vulnerable groups, to deal with the challenges. The participants further reaffirmed support to the Southern African Development Community’s Organ on Politics, Defence and Security in its effort to find solutions to its political and security problems. They welcomed interventions by the international community to end the untold sufferings, caused by arms proliferation and human trafficking.