Global Generation Z Uprising: How Young Protesters Are Challenging Corrupt Governments Worldwide

In Madagascar, protesters say they were particularly inspired by the movements in Nepal and Sri Lanka.

New Delhi:

A new generation of protests is sweeping across the globe, from the Andes to the Himalayas, fueled by young people's growing dissatisfaction with their governments and prevailing socioeconomic conditions.

Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina was recently forced to flee the country following a military mutiny on Monday, which came after weeks of demonstrations led by protesters identifying themselves as "Gen Z Madagascar."

This political upheaval in the Indian Ocean island nation reflects similar recent protest movements in countries like Nepal, the Philippines, Indonesia, Kenya, Peru, and Morocco. While these demonstrations have been triggered by specific grievances, they are fundamentally driven by longstanding issues such as increasing inequality, economic instability, corruption, and political nepotism.

One common characteristic unites these movements: they are largely leaderless and primarily comprised of young individuals who identify as "Gen Z" – those born approximately between 1996 and 2010 – the first generation to have grown up entirely in the digital age.

"What connects these youth-led protests is a shared sense that traditional political systems aren't responsive to their generation's concerns, whether that's corruption, climate change, or economic inequality. Protest then becomes the logical outlet when institutional channels feel blocked," explained Sam Nadel, director of Social Change Lab, a U.K.-based nonprofit researching protests and social movements.

While their specific demands vary, most of these protests have been ignited by governmental overreach or neglect. Many have faced harsh treatment from security forces and severe repression.

In Morocco, a leaderless collective called Gen Z 212 – named after the country's dialing code – has mobilized to demand improved public services and increased spending on health and education. Peruvian protests initially focused on pension law reforms but expanded to broader demands including addressing rising insecurity and widespread governmental corruption. Indonesia has witnessed deadly protests over lawmakers' benefits and cost of living issues, forcing presidential changes to key ministerial positions.

The most widely recognized "Gen Z" protest movement emerged in Nepal, where deadly demonstrations culminated in the prime minister's resignation in September. These protesters drew inspiration from successful anti-government movements in South Asia, particularly in Sri Lanka (2022) and Bangladesh (2024), which resulted in regime changes.

Madagascar's protesters explicitly acknowledge being inspired by the movements in Nepal and Sri Lanka. What began as demonstrations against regular water and electricity disruptions quickly evolved into broader discontent, with protesters demanding the resignation of the president and other officials. By Wednesday, Madagascar's military coup leader announced he was "taking the position of president."

A distinctive cultural symbol has emerged across these diverse movements: a black flag featuring a grinning skull and crossbones wearing a straw hat. This emblem comes from the popular Japanese manga and anime series "One Piece," which chronicles pirates challenging corrupt governments.

In Nepal, protesters displayed this flag on government buildings, including the Singha Durbar (the seat of the Nepalese government) and various ministries, many of which were set ablaze during demonstrations. The same flag has been prominently displayed during protests in Indonesia, the Philippines, Morocco, and Madagascar.

Last week in Lima, Peru, 27-year-old electrician David Tafur stood with the identical flag in San Martín Square, which has become the venue for weekly demonstrations.

"We're fighting the same battle — against corrupt officials who, in our case, are also killers," he stated, noting that President Dina Boluarte's government had maintained power since December 2022 despite over 500 protests and 50 civilian deaths.

"In my case, it's outrage over abuse of power, corruption, the deaths," Tafur explained, referencing the sharp increase in murders and extortion affecting Peru since 2017, alongside new legislation that has undermined crime-fighting efforts.

Boluarte, who had been under investigation for allegations including bribery and involvement in the deadly 2022 protest crackdown, was recently replaced by interim President José Jerí. However, Tafur insisted this change was insufficient: "The president is an ally of Congress and has to go."

Young people have led many significant protest movements throughout history, including Occupy Wall Street (2011), the Arab Spring (2010-2012), and Hong Kong's Umbrella Revolution (2014). While these earlier movements also utilized internet and social media for mobilization, today's "Gen Z" protesters are leveraging digital platforms with unprecedented effectiveness.

"Digital platforms are powerful tools for information sharing and building connections, but the most effective movements often combine digital mobilisation with traditional in-person organising, as we've seen in these recent protests," noted Nadel from Social Change Lab.

Days before Nepal's deadly protests began, the government announced a ban on most social media platforms for non-compliance with registration requirements. Many young Nepalese interpreted this as an attempt to silence them and circumvented the restrictions using virtual private networks.

In the following days, they utilized TikTok, Instagram, and X to highlight the opulent lifestyles of politicians' children, emphasizing the disparities between Nepal's wealthy and poor, while also announcing planned rallies and venues. Some later used the gaming chat platform Discord to discuss potential interim leadership candidates for the country.

"Whatever movement happens, whether against corruption or injustice, it spreads through digital media. The same happened in Nepal. The changes that took place after the Gen Z protests in Nepal spread globally through digital platforms, influencing other countries as well," said protester Yujan Rajbhandari.

He added that the protests in Nepal awakened not only the youth but also older generations: "We realised that we are global citizens and the digital space connects us all and plays a powerful role across the world."