The flashpoint generation: How Gen Z is rewriting the rules of protest the world over

November 24, 2025

Across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, Generation Z is revolutionizing political activism by leveraging digital tools to challenge systemic corruption and inequality in ways that traditional power structures struggle to comprehend or control. From Nepal's rapid government collapse following online mobilization to Madagascar's nationwide uprising over basic services, young protesters are using social media platforms, encrypted networks, and memes to coordinate decentralized movements that demand transparency, merit-based governance, and accountability. These youth-led protests have toppled governments in multiple countries, forced appointment of grassroots activists to ministerial positions, and created cross-regional networks sharing tactics despite facing violent repression and restrictive legislation.

Who is affected

Gen Z youth (born late 1990s to early 2010s) in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Philippines, Peru, and Paraguay
Students and university attendees across multiple countries
Civil society organizations (CSOs) in India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Pakistan, Myanmar, Peru, and Paraguay
Government officials, including Nepal's fallen elected government and Madagascar's president who fled the country
Grassroots digital activist Mahabir Pun (appointed Nepal's Minister for Education, Science, and Technology)
Arrested protesters including minors in the Philippines
Citizens experiencing water cuts, blackouts, and lack of basic services in Madagascar
Relatives of those killed in protests in Peru
Members of civil society platforms including PFNOSCM (Madagascar), ANC (Peru), and Pojoaju (Paraguay)
Gig workers, unions, and informal workers joining protests

What action is being taken

Young Nepalis are continuing debates across TikTok, Facebook groups, and local cafés about the "Gen-Z Mandate" as elections have been announced for March 2026
Gen Z protesters are mobilizing through social media platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Discord, and encrypted servers
Filipino activists are sharing their "people's lawyer" model with peers
Digital collectives are swapping security tips and data-verification tools across regions
Civil society representatives are conducting civic-rights education campaigns and diplomatic pushes
Various movements are hitting the streets to protest "anti-NGO" laws in Paraguay
The Alliance Against Corruption and Police Brutality (ACAB) is organizing from behind bars in the Philippines
Artists, students, and informal workers in Peru keep taking to the streets demanding change
EU SEE initiative is monitoring enabling environments for civil society in over 86 countries
Protesters are creating new spaces to expose hypocrisy between government rhetoric and repression

Why it matters

This represents a fundamental shift in how political mobilization occurs globally, as digitally-native youth movements are outpacing traditional power structures' ability to understand or control them. The movements are addressing existential concerns—climate collapse, systemic corruption, economic injustice, and lack of basic necessities—that young people experience as imminent threats rather than abstract future problems. These protests have demonstrated real power to topple governments, reshape political culture, and force merit-based appointments, proving that decentralized, digitally-enabled organizing can achieve tangible results. The movements are creating cross-regional solidarity networks that share tactics and strategies, building what activists call a "machinery of solidarity" in response to coordinated state repression. This matters because it signals a generational refusal to accept inherited systems of governance that have failed to provide basic rights, democratic accountability, or a viable future, with implications for democratic participation and civil society space worldwide.

What's next

Elections in Nepal are scheduled for March 2026
A national peaceful strike was reported to take place in Peru on November 14, 2025
Civil society in Madagascar needs to listen, trust, and co-create with youth while being mindful of their autonomy
An interim military government in Madagascar has promised a new start (though with historical warnings about cyclical crises)
Cross-regional peer forums, civic-rights education campaigns, and diplomatic pushes continue to be developed in response to repression
Bridges between movements are being built in real time as activists share models and tools

Read full article from source: Global Voices