A/HRC/31/55 international levels (art. 1). Some defenders conduct their rights activities as a full-time profession, while others become defenders by accident or design, through fighting injustice or claiming their rights. In international law, human rights defenders are identified mainly by what they do. IV. Strengthening the resources and capacities of defenders 43. The first part of a good practice is focused on strengthening the resources and capacities of defenders. Such a practice fosters a culture of “holistic security” among defenders; develops the knowledge, skills and abilities of defenders; builds and supports networks among defenders and their allies; and protects and supports defenders, including in emergencies. Fostering a culture of “holistic security” among defenders A. 44. Protection practices should focus on strengthening the security of defenders in a holistic manner. Security should not be defined as physical security alone, but should be understood as encompassing multiple dimensions, including economic security, political security, environmental security, digital security and psychosocial well-being. 45. Defenders should be encouraged to integrate security more comprehensively into their work and to address their protection needs more systematically. There are a number of reasons why defenders do not take steps to protect themselves in spite of the risks they face. Some do not expect to be targeted for their work. Some believe that risks are inherent in their work and that there is little they can do to mitigate them effectively. Some tend to focus more on the security of the victims of human rights abuses whom they support rather than their own security. 46. The security of each individual defender often depends on the behaviour of others. This is particularly true when defenders work together in groups, organizations or communities. Defenders should therefore devote time and resources to plan how they will manage their security collectively by, for example, integrating a security perspective into strategic and operational plans, institutionalizing security practices in organizational policies and protocols, or embedding security measures in the implementation of programmes.8 47. One aspect of security often neglected by defenders is their own well-being. The stress of human rights work often takes a toll on the mental, emotional and psychological well-being of defenders. Defenders should recognize the signs and symptoms of stress, depression, anxiety, vicarious trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder and burnout, and must be supported in the prevention and treatment of them. It is vitally important for defenders to engage in self-care. 48. As mentioned above, experiences of violence, risk and security are often genderbased. Women human rights defenders report how they suffer more from verbal abuse, sexual violence and rape; how gender stereotypes are used to delegitimize their work; and how other factors, such as ethnicity, age, class and sexual orientation, exacerbate the 8 Numerous tools have been developed to assist defenders in this regard, such as the New Protection Manual for Human Rights Defenders by Protection International and the Workbook on Security: Practical Steps for Human Rights Defenders at Risk by Front Line Defenders. 9