Where Gen Z Protests Are Rocking the World

raquelgoulartra
Oct 2
2 min read

This article is published in collaboration with Statista

by Katharina Buchholz

Large-scale, youth-led protests have rocked countries in different parts of the world recently, often leading to violence, destruction and even the unseating of governments. This was the case Monday when President Andry Rajoelina of Madagascar dissolved his government after 22 people died and more than 100 were injured when unrest erupted, sparked by water and electricity outages. NGO Visions of Humanity writes young people active on social media have spearheaded protests like these, asking not only for improvements to living conditions but also for broader changes in government accountability, equality and the fight against corruption.

Nepal's large scale protests in early September which led to the death of more than 70 and the resignation of the country's prime minister centered on anger towards the lavish lifestyles of the country's political elites, who flaunt their wealth on social media for everyone - but especially young internet users - to see. To the demonstrators, these politicians and their children - dubbed nepo kids - are a symbolize deep-seated corruption.

Asia has been a center of youth-led protests recently. Another significant one took place in July of last year in Bangladesh when the country found itself embroiled in large-scale unrest that was first catalyzed by young people protesting a quota-based system assigning some government jobs based on membership in religious, ethnic and other groups. After a violent crackdown that according to estimates left more than 1,000 people dead, the country's long-term Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country. Ín the past two months, youth-led protests also rocked Indonesia and the Philippines, as discontent around economic opportunity, corruption and perks given to members of parliament boiled over. Just like in other protests of the last 12 months, Indonesian protesters targeted government buildings and houses of politicians, while those in the Philippines clashed with police.

Youth protests have also taken place in other parts of the world, including Kenya, Serbia, Peru and Morocco, as young people protested government negligence, unrealistic policies, corruption and lack of economic opportunity. In the later country, a collective called GenZ 212 has taken part in organizing the movement, which criticizes high youth unemployment as well as poor education and healthcare systems.

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