A protestor holding the flag from the popular anime series, One Piece, which has become popular at Gen Z protests around the world. Image from Heute. License CC BY 4.0.

From Kathmandu to Casablanca, Generation Z, those born between 1997 and 2012, have led protest movements this year, pushing for change and demanding accountability from those in power. This year alone, so-called “Gen Z protests” have broken out in Kenya, Indonesia, the Philippines, Morocco, Madagascar, Peru, and Nepal. 

Nepal’s bout of protests began on September 8 in response to government corruption and censorship and ended with the resignation of the Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli and other top government officials on September 9. On September 12th, Sushila Karki was sworn in as Nepal’s first woman prime minister, marking a new era in governance and ending one of the world’s first successful Gen Z-led uprisings.

Taking place both on and offline, these protest movements vary in cause and methods, but a few constants remain. Young people are tired of not having a voice and seeking to gain power in systems that have traditionally left them sidelined. Many are relying on similar imagery, such as the pirate flag from the popular anime show “One Piece” (pictured above), which has become a symbol of liberation and the fight against corruption and authoritarianism. 

The flag was prominent in Indonesia’s anti-corruption protests in August and was even banned in the country, as the government sees it as a symbol of division and a threat to national security — thereby firmly securing its place in the hearts of protestors. 

Through this special coverage, Global Voices is compiling stories of young people and exploring the motivations behind this global protest movement.