KATHMANDU: In 2025, youth-led protests, often called “Gen Z protests,” erupted worldwide, spanning countries in Asia, Africa, and South America, including Nepal, Morocco, Madagascar, Peru, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Kenya.

Driven by grievances over corruption, social inequality, government mismanagement, and economic insecurity, these protests combined street mobilizations with digital campaigns using social media platforms like TikTok, Discord, and Reddit.

Some protests toppled governments, while others resulted in deadly clashes with authorities. The movements showcase a new generation demanding accountability, fairness, and structural reforms in governance, leveraging technology to organize and amplify their voices globally.

What triggered the Gen Z protests in Nepal?

The Nepali protests were sparked by multiple factors, combining systemic corruption, political elitism, and social media restrictions. The immediate trigger was a government ban on 26 major social media platforms, widely perceived by youth as an attempt to silence dissent.

Anger was further intensified by the extravagant lifestyles of politicians’ children, called “nepo kids,” who flaunted luxury goods online, highlighting wealth disparities.

Thousands of young Nepalis mobilized through TikTok, Discord, and AI-assisted video campaigns, documenting corruption and calling for accountability.

The protests escalated into street demonstrations, violent clashes with police, and the storming of government buildings, ultimately prompting Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s resignation. An interim government, led by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, has been established with the responsibility of conducting the parliamentary elections scheduled for March 5, 2026.

Socioeconomic factors, including 20% of the population living below the national poverty line and high youth unemployment, amplified discontent.

The protests represented both moral outrage and a demand for tangible structural reforms. Symbolic acts, like hoisting the manga skull flag on Singha Durbar, communicated resistance against entrenched corruption.

How did social media and technology influence these protests?

Social media and technology played a pivotal role in shaping Gen Z protests, enabling rapid mobilization and coordinated action.

In Nepal, activists used TikTok, AI tools, and multiple social media accounts to bypass bans, producing viral videos that highlighted corruption, inequality, and political elitism.

Discord and other gaming chat platforms were used for strategic planning and communication among protesters, fostering decentralized leadership. Across countries, hashtags, memes, and viral content created awareness, emotional resonance, and public pressure on authorities.

Technology also enabled transnational solidarity, with youth in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Nepal sharing symbols, slogans, and strategies. Visual content made inequalities tangible, amplifying outrage and participation.

Compared to previous generations, Gen Z’s digital fluency allows them to organize faster, evade state control, and sustain engagement over long periods. Experts note that these tools convert online outrage into offline action, creating a new paradigm for youth-driven political activism.

What role did “nepo kids” play in the Nepal protests?

“Nepo kids,” children of elite politicians flaunting luxury lifestyles online, became symbols of social inequality and corruption in Nepal. Viral images of extravagant gifts, designer handbags, and exotic holidays highlighted the gap between elite families and ordinary citizens facing unemployment, poverty, and limited opportunities.

Activists, including Aditya, leveraged these images to mobilize youth and frame protests as a struggle against systemic political elitism. While some families denied wrongdoing, the public widely associated these displays with misuse of state resources.

The term “nepo kids” became a rallying cry, merging cultural critique with political accountability. It underscored generational tension, with older political leaders perceived as disconnected from the struggles of ordinary citizens.

Social media amplified the issue, making it visible, shareable, and emotionally compelling, fueling both online discussions and street demonstrations. The focus on “nepo kids” helped sustain momentum, symbolizing broader grievances over corruption, nepotism, and structural injustice in governance.

How did protests in Morocco unfold?

In Morocco, youth-led demonstrations erupted over government spending on 2030 World Cup preparations, while public services like education and healthcare remained underfunded.

The “Gen Z 212” movement, referencing the country’s telephone code, initiated the protests through social media campaigns demanding better schooling, healthcare, and job opportunities.

Starting in Rabat and Casablanca, demonstrations quickly spread nationwide. Clashes with police resulted in three deaths, over 400 arrests, and dozens of injuries, with vehicles set ablaze. Protesters chanted slogans like, “Stadiums are here, but where are the hospitals?” reflecting frustration over misplaced priorities.

Youth unemployment, affecting more than a third of Moroccans under 25, exacerbated anger. Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch offered dialogue, yet protesters insisted on his resignation. Social media allowed rapid coordination and awareness, amplifying demands and attracting international attention.

The Moroccan protests illustrate how youth, digital tools, and visible government mismanagement converge to generate sustained social mobilization and public pressure.

What happened during the Madagascar protests?
In Madagascar, widespread youth-led protests erupted over failures in basic public services, including chronic electricity and water shortages, exposing deeper governance and institutional weaknesses.

Spearheaded by Gen Z activists, demonstrations quickly spread from the capital, Antananarivo, to other major cities, resulting in at least 22 deaths and over 100 injuries. Citizens demanded the resignation of President Andry Rajoelina and called for reforms of the election commission and top courts, reflecting broader concerns over corruption and accountability.

In response, Rajoelina dissolved his government and emphasized dialogue with youth, while organizers temporarily suspended rallies in Antananarivo due to health concerns, stressing that this pause was a tactical decision.

The movement highlighted how urban poverty—affecting roughly 75% of residents—combined with perceived corruption, can trigger political upheaval among digitally connected and socially conscious youth.

The crisis escalated when Rajoelina fled the country after an elite military unit joined the protests and called for the resignation of the president and ministers. Speaking from an undisclosed location, he described the events as an illegal attempt to seize power, stopping short of announcing his resignation, and underscoring the growing instability in the island nation.

Why did protests erupt in Peru?

In Peru, protests erupted over economic insecurity, pension reforms, corruption allegations, and rising crime. The immediate trigger was a reform requiring youth to pay into private pension funds, which intersected with broader dissatisfaction among taxi and bus drivers facing extortion and inadequate government intervention.

Clashes with police occurred in Lima and other cities as demonstrators expressed frustration with low economic opportunities and systemic mismanagement.

President Dina Boluarte, already unpopular with approval ratings below 3%, faced calls for resignation. These protests echoed unrest in 2022, after former President Pedro Castillo’s impeachment led to deadly anti-government demonstrations.

Youth participation was central, highlighting the rising political influence of young citizens. Social media amplified grievances, providing coordination channels and spreading evidence of corruption and mismanagement.

The protests underscore the intersection of economic, political, and generational grievances, with young people demanding systemic reform, accountability, and fair access to social and economic opportunities.

How did protests in the Philippines manifest?

In the Philippines, tens of thousands protested corruption in flood relief projects, with over 200 arrests reported. Alleged misuse of billions of dollars prompted outrage, particularly given the country’s vulnerability to roughly 20 tropical storms annually.

Protesters demanded accountability and transparency, and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. established an independent investigation into the alleged corruption. Social media played a crucial role in mobilization, disseminating images, videos, and messages that documented government mismanagement.

Demonstrations combined street protests with digital campaigns, reflecting the global Gen Z strategy of leveraging technology to amplify grievances. The protests highlighted public dissatisfaction with infrastructure mismanagement, environmental vulnerability, and institutional inefficiency.

By mobilizing youth and civil society, the movement pressured the government to acknowledge failures and engage in reform, demonstrating that digital activism can complement traditional civic action, raise awareness, and catalyze political responses in countries facing systemic corruption and natural disaster risks.

What are the common grievances across these Gen Z protests?

Across Nepal, Morocco, Madagascar, Peru, and the Philippines, young protesters share overlapping grievances: corruption, social inequality, economic insecurity, and inadequate public services.

Visible elite wealth and nepotism, coupled with unemployment, high living costs, and poor access to healthcare and education, amplify frustration. Digital platforms magnify these disparities, making them emotionally resonant and easily shared.

Youth movements emphasize transparency, accountability, and structural reform, demanding governments address long-standing inequities. While each country has unique triggers—like social media bans in Nepal or World Cup spending in Morocco—the underlying themes converge around fairness, opportunity, and ethical governance.

These shared grievances reflect a global pattern of generational dissatisfaction, with young adults asserting influence over public life and holding leaders accountable through coordinated, technologically enabled activism that transcends national boundaries.

How did protesters use symbolism in these movements?

Protesters have relied heavily on symbolism to unify movements and communicate resistance. In Nepal, a manga skull-and-crossbones flag from One Piece represented liberation from autocratic governance, signaling defiance and justice.

Indonesian skull logos were similarly adopted in the Philippines and Nepal, creating a sense of transnational solidarity. These symbols appeared on banners, flags, social media profiles, and video content, fostering identification with a shared struggle.

Symbolism serves to simplify complex political grievances, providing emotionally compelling imagery that connects offline actions to online networks. It amplifies visibility, consolidates identity, and inspires collective action.

By using popular culture references and transnational motifs, Gen Z activists convey moral narratives about corruption, inequality, and resistance, turning abstract ideals into tangible symbols that unite youth across borders and enhance the cohesion, recognizability, and impact of movements.

What role did deaths and violence play in the protests?

Deaths and violence played both tragic and mobilizing roles in Gen Z protests. Nepal reported 72 fatalities, Madagascar at least 22, Morocco three, and Indonesia 10. Clashes with police, property destruction, and targeted attacks drew media attention and intensified public pressure on governments.

While fatalities underline the human cost, they also highlight the perceived urgency of the grievances, reinforcing narratives of systemic injustice. Heavy-handed police responses, often criticized internationally, amplified outrage, spurring greater participation. Violence also exposed institutional fragility, prompting resignations or concessions in some countries.

However, excessive violence risked delegitimizing movements in the eyes of moderates. Activists generally emphasized moral narratives and peaceful protest, framing fatalities as a consequence of oppressive governance rather than justification for escalation, demonstrating the tension between asserting political power and maintaining ethical credibility in youth-led social movements.

How did governments respond to the protests?

Governments responded with a mix of concessions, crackdowns, and dialogue. In Nepal, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned; Madagascar’s government was dissolved. Morocco’s Prime Minister offered discussion while refusing immediate resignation. The Philippines launched investigations into flood relief corruption.

In Indonesia, lawmakers’ perks and overseas trips were canceled. Police and security forces intervened in nearly all countries, often resulting in clashes, arrests, and injuries. Governments balanced appeasing youth demands with maintaining authority, highlighting the difficulty of addressing systemic grievances while preserving political control.

Public visibility, amplified by social media, pressured authorities to act, sometimes leading to reform, accountability measures, or institutional restructuring.

The range of responses reflects the unique political, social, and economic contexts of each nation while underlining the increasing influence of organized youth movements on governmental decision-making.

How did transnational solidarity emerge?

Digital communication enabled cross-border solidarity among youth movements. Protesters in Nepal, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Morocco shared strategies, slogans, and symbols online, fostering a sense of shared purpose. Hashtags like #SEAblings and viral memes connected participants, creating networks that transcended national boundaries.

Observing other countries’ protests informed tactics, messaging, and safety measures, enhancing strategic coordination. Shared symbols, such as the skull logo, reinforced global identity and inspiration.

This transnational solidarity increased morale, promoted best practices, and amplified the visibility of grievances internationally. Youth activists are leveraging technology to create interconnected movements, allowing local protests to resonate globally.

Such solidarity exemplifies how modern social movements are increasingly networked, knowledge-driven, and collaborative, turning digital interconnectivity into a tool for political influence, mutual support, and global awareness of social justice issues.

What economic factors underpin these movements?

Economic inequality is central to Gen Z protests. Youth unemployment is high: over a third in Morocco, 75% of urban residents in Madagascar face poverty, and 20% of Nepalis live below the poverty line.

Limited access to healthcare, education, and basic utilities exacerbates frustration. Visible wealth disparities, particularly among elites and “nepo kids,” highlight perceived corruption and mismanagement. Inflation, stagnating wages, and exploitative labor practices in countries like Peru and the Philippines further intensify discontent.

The lack of economic opportunities drives young citizens to organize, demand reforms, and challenge systems that perpetuate inequality. Protesters seek structural changes, fair employment, affordable services, and accountability, reflecting the link between economic precarity and political mobilization.

These economic pressures underscore the urgency for governments to implement equitable policies and respond effectively to youth grievances to prevent recurring unrest.

How do Gen Z protests differ from previous generations?

Gen Z protests are distinguished by digital-first, decentralized organization. Unlike previous generations relying on traditional unions, political parties, or on-the-ground networks, Gen Z activists leverage TikTok, Discord, Reddit, and AI tools for coordination, messaging, and awareness.

Leadership is often fluid and collective, emphasizing collaboration over hierarchical structures. Movements are transnational, learning from global protests, sharing symbols, tactics, and strategies. The immediacy and viral potential of social media allow rapid scaling, amplified outreach, and public pressure.

Symbolism, memes, and online campaigns transform abstract issues into shareable narratives. Digital platforms also create accountability and transparency, as actions are documented and widely circulated. This contrasts with earlier generations, whose movements were slower to mobilize, more localized, and reliant on conventional media. Gen Z’s activism blends online and offline strategies, demonstrating technological fluency as central to modern social movements.

What challenges do these movements face for long-term impact?

While Gen Z protests have immediate visibility and can catalyze government concessions, they face challenges translating momentum into lasting reform.

Decentralized, leaderless structures can hinder sustained decision-making, strategic planning, and policy advocacy. Reliance on social media and algorithms may amplify outrage but cannot guarantee institutional change.

Past Nepali movements show that moral authority can erode if participants are absorbed into the system without structural reform. Sustained impact requires forming coherent strategies, bridging online activism with physical organization, and engaging with legal and political frameworks.

Movements must balance immediate protest tactics with long-term visions, cultivating leadership, alliances, and tangible policy proposals. The challenge is converting emotional, symbolic, and digital energy into real, systemic, and democratic change, ensuring that activism reshapes institutions rather than simply expressing temporary dissent.