Gen Z Protests Across Asia: The Fight Against Corruption and Inequality

Wed Oct 22 2025 07:49:45 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Young activists across Asia are leveraging social media to spark significant anti-corruption protests, fueled by a backlash against nepotism and social inequality, challenging entrenched political systems.

In a wave of activism led by Generation Z, young people in Nepal, Indonesia, and the Philippines are uniting against corruption and social inequality, ignited by social media exposure. Triggered by displays of wealth among 'nepo kids', protesters seek to hold politicians accountable while leveraging platforms like TikTok and AI to amplify their messages. Despite government crackdowns and a rise in violence, the youth insist their collective power can lead to meaningful change.

In a wave of activism led by Generation Z, young people in Nepal, Indonesia, and the Philippines are uniting against corruption and social inequality, ignited by social media exposure.

The protests in Nepal began after activist Aditya, 23, became outraged by claims that a high-profile wedding blocked a major road for VIP guests. This sparked his outrage against the perceived misuse of state resources that he was seeing online.

Over the subsequent months, similar instances of wealth flaunting by children of politicians incensed the youth, leading to mass anti-corruption protests that resulted in the resignation of Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

This wave of demonstration is not isolated; it resonates through several Asian nations. In the Philippines, tens of thousands marched against government corruption, while protests erupted in Indonesia over lawmakers’ lucrative housing allowances.

Younger generations, armed with social media tools, are adeptly maneuvering around government censorship to broadcast their discontent. Despite the potential for violence as governments respond with force, activists believe this is merely the start of a new political awakening driven by their collective identity as ‘Gen Z Rebels’.

They have labeled the well-connected offspring of politicians as 'nepo kids', viewing them as symbols of corruption. As the protests gain momentum across borders, there is growing solidarity among youth through shared symbols and online communications, solidifying a regional anti-corruption movement.

With the use of platforms like TikTok and AI for innovative protest strategies, today's young activists are reshaping the landscape of political engagement in Asia.