2. Methodology In order to achieve the objectives set out above, the Forum conducted extensive training and consultative meetings with the general population of Zimbabwe. The 13 meetings were part of a series of such meetings to be conducted in some 84 constituencies that have historically been the worst affected by violence and repression in the country. Mapping of Constituencies The Forum provides the main platform, for most NGOs involved in monitoring and documenting human rights violations, to pool their data in a collaborative endeavour designed to provide a regular overview of reported and recorded violations from across the country. In addition, the Forum has a separate pressclipping database compiled from Harare-based newspapers, which focuses on reported incidents of violations and not individuals. The information collected feeds into the Forum's database. The database is violation focused, with 16 categories of violations (and four sub-categories of torture), and includes detailed categorisation on the victim, perpetrator, location of incident, etc. Using the information contained in the database, and further building on information contained in the Breaking the Silence report, the Forum was able to identify 84 constituencies that have been historically worst affected by violence and repression in post independence Zimbabwe. Mobilisation of the participants to these meetings was done using existing structures of member organisations, partner organisations and all of the political parties operating in the various areas. Selection of participants Guided by the facts that: - public meetings have a tendency of attracting only members of the population that are active in civil and political groups; - people who are formally employed might not be able to take part in the process, as they are likely to be at work; and - there is likelihood that some people might not be willing or able to express their view in a public forum; 9