Gen Z is emerging as a powerful force in global political protests, leveraging digital tools, decentralized organizing, and bold messaging to challenge corruption, climate inaction, and authoritarianism. From Nepal to Nigeria, their activism is reshaping how movements are built and sustained.
In the past decade, a new generation has risen to the forefront of political activism. Generation Z (born 1997–2012), often dismissed as screen-addicted or apolitical, is proving to be one of the most politically engaged and globally connected cohorts in modern history. From climate strikes to anti-corruption protests, Gen Z is not just participating, they’re leading.
This article explores Gen Z’s role in political protests and movements worldwide, highlighting their motivations, methods, and impact, with real-world examples from across continents.
Digital Natives, Digital Organizers
Unlike previous generations, Gen Z grew up with smartphones, social media, and instant access to global news. This digital fluency allows them to:
- Organize protests rapidly using platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
- Bypass traditional media to share unfiltered footage and narratives.
- Build transnational solidarity, learning tactics from peers in other countries.
Example: In 2025, youth-led protests in Nepal, Morocco, and Madagascar erupted almost simultaneously, each sparked by local grievances but amplified by shared digital strategies.
What Drives Gen Z to Protest?
1. Disillusionment with Institutions. Gen Z has grown up amid political instability, climate disasters, and economic inequality. They are skeptical of traditional institutions and demand transparency, accountability, and action.
2. Intersectional Awareness. This generation views issues like climate change, racial justice, and gender equality as interconnected. Their activism reflects a holistic worldview, often linking local struggles to global systems.
3. Urgency and Moral Clarity. Gen Z doesn’t wait for permission. They act with urgency, often using bold, unapologetic language to demand change.
Example: During the 2020–2021 climate strikes, Gen Z activists like Greta Thunberg and Vanessa Nakate became global icons, calling out world leaders with direct, uncompromising rhetoric.
Tactics and Tools: How Gen Z Protests Differ
- Memes and viral content: Humor and irony are used to spread serious messages.
- Flash mobs and decentralized actions: Avoiding centralized leadership makes movements harder to suppress.
- Livestreaming and citizen journalism: Real-time documentation builds global awareness and deters violence.
Example: In Nigeria’s #EndSARS movement, Gen Z protesters used Twitter Spaces and Instagram Live to coordinate actions and document police brutality, forcing international media to take notice.
Government Responses: From Crackdowns to Concessions
Governments have responded to Gen Z-led protests in varied ways:
- Nepal and Morocco: Authorities attempted to restrict internet access and arrest organizers.
- South Korea and Chile: Some governments opened dialogue with youth leaders, recognizing their influence.
- United States and Europe: Gen Z has influenced elections by mobilizing around issues like gun control and climate policy.
Example: In the U.S., Gen Z voter turnout surged in the 2022 and 2024 elections, helping shape legislative agendas on climate and student debt.
The Future of Protest: What Gen Z Is Teaching the World
Protest is a lifestyle, not an event: Gen Z integrates activism into daily life, through ethical consumption, digital advocacy, and community organizing.
- Global problems need global voices: They reject nationalism in favor of transnational solidarity, often collaborating across borders.
- Hope is a strategy: Despite facing existential threats, Gen Z remains hopeful, using creativity and humor to sustain momentum.
Example: The “OK Boomer” meme, while controversial, became a rallying cry for generational frustration, turning satire into a political statement.
Gen Z Protest Movements: Global Examples from 2024–2025
Between 2024 and 2025, Gen Z led major political protests across Nepal, Morocco, Madagascar, and other regions, demanding transparency, justice, and better infrastructure. These movements were digitally coordinated and often sparked international attention.
Here are some of the most significant Gen Z-led political protests from the past two years:
Nepal: Fighting Corruption and Censorship (September 2025)
Thousands of Gen Z protesters rallied in Kathmandu against government corruption and social media restrictions. The movement gained traction after authorities proposed tighter controls on digital platforms. Young demonstrators used Instagram and TikTok to mobilize, with slogans like “Our Future, Our Voice” echoing across the capital.
Morocco: Demanding Justice and Reform (October 2025)
The “Gen Z 212” movement erupted after the tragic deaths of eight women in a poorly equipped public hospital. Gen Z activists demanded healthcare reform, accountability, and justice, organizing mass protests in Rabat and Casablanca. Hashtags like #MoroccanYouthRise trended across North Africa, amplifying their message.
Madagascar: Protesting Infrastructure Collapse (Mid-2025)
In Antananarivo, Gen Z led protests over water shortages and power outages, blaming government mismanagement. Viral videos showing daily struggles sparked outrage, and youth groups coordinated flash protests using WhatsApp and Telegram.
These examples show how Gen Z is reshaping global activism, digitally fluent, morally driven, and globally connected.
Gen Z Protest Movements in Bangladesh, Kenya, and Peru (2024–2025)
- South Asia & Southeast Asia: Gen Z activists protested labor rights violations and climate inaction, often aligning with global movements.
- Africa & South America: Youth-led demonstrations targeted economic inequality and political corruption, with digital platforms enabling cross-border solidarity.
Bangladesh: From Protest to Power
In August 2024, Gen Z protesters in Bangladesh led a historic movement that ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after years of discontent over corruption, unemployment, and digital censorship. The movement was largely student-driven and coordinated via social media.
- Key moment: Protesters took over traffic control in Dhaka to maintain order during demonstrations.
- Aftermath: A new interim government was formed, and Gen Z activists like Shahana Akhtar, 26, began participating in governance roles, directing traffic and organizing civic services.
Kenya: From Tax Revolt to National Reckoning
In June 2024, Gen Z in Kenya launched spontaneous, leaderless protests against a Finance Bill proposing steep tax hikes, including a 16% levy on bread and a 2.5% annual tax on vehicles.
- June 25, 2024: Protesters stormed Parliament in Nairobi, shutting down major junctions.
- June 25, 2025: On the one-year anniversary, Gen Z returned to the streets to honor those killed and demand police accountability and economic justice.
- Catalyst: The death of a blogger in police custody reignited protests in mid-2025, showing the movement’s resilience despite internal divisions.
Peru: Youth vs. Corruption and Insecurity
In September–October 2025, Gen Z in Peru led mass protests against pension reforms, rising crime, and political dysfunction under President Jose Jeri.
- Trigger: A law requiring all adults to enroll in pension funds, despite widespread informal employment.
- Demands: Protesters called for the president’s resignation, citing corruption, insecurity, and lack of accountability for past protest deaths.
- Impact: At least one person was killed and over 100 injured during clashes. Approval ratings for Congress and the presidency plummeted to 3% and 2.5%, respectively.
United States: Gen Z’s Political Awakening
2024 Election Mobilization
Gen Z played a decisive role in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, with youth voter turnout shaping policy debates on climate, student debt, and reproductive rights.
- Post-election activism focused on turning electoral momentum into sustained reform.
- The NAACP highlighted Gen Z’s challenge: shifting from reactive protest to strategic policy advocacy.
2025 Protest Landscape
Despite high engagement, some protests saw lower Gen Z turnout than expected.
- Demonstrations like “Not My Presidents Day” and “Hands Off!” in early 2025 drew large crowds, but skewed older.
- TikTok creators questioned Gen Z’s visibility, asking “Where the f*** is Gen Z?” at rallies.
Still, Gen Z remains active in digital organizing, voter education, and grassroots campaigns, especially around climate and racial justice.
Europe: Transnational Resistance and Democratic Defense
Georgia (May 2024)
Youth protests erupted over the reintroduction of a Russian-style “foreign agents” law.
- Gen Z-led demonstrations challenged democratic erosion and demanded EU alignment.
- Approval ratings for the ruling party dropped, and Brussels was urged to support youth-led democratic reform.
Serbia and Turkey (March–June 2025)
Student-led protests in both countries reflected transnational Gen Z resistance to authoritarianism.
- In Turkey, youth mobilized against censorship and political repression.
- In Serbia, Gen Z students protested electoral manipulation and media control
These examples underscore how Gen Z is not only protesting but reshaping political discourse in their countries. Their movements are marked by digital coordination, moral urgency, and a refusal to accept the status quo.
Gen Z is not waiting for the future, they’re building it now. Through digital savvy, moral clarity, and fearless organizing, they are reshaping how political movements emerge and evolve. Whether confronting corruption in Kathmandu or climate inaction in Washington, Gen Z is proving that youth-led activism is not a trend, it’s a transformation.
