It is a period of widespread anti-government protests around the world. From Southeast Asia to Latin America, passing through Europe, thousands of people are taking to the streets against their respective governments, to claim basic rights and to protest against corruption.

In recent days there have been demonstrations in Argentina following yet more femicides, protests have continued in Nepal and the Philippines against the corruption of the ruling political class, clashes have broken out in India during a series of rallies for the autonomy of the Ladakh region, protests have erupted in Peru against the government of President Dina Boluarte, while in Slovakia people have taken to the streets in opposition to the public accounts consolidation plan introduced by the government. Other protests have shaken Madagascar, Morocco and Ecuador, while in Serbia marches, blockades and sit-ins have been ongoing since the end of 2024.

Mobilisations with different objectives and geographies that often share one common element: the strong presence, if not outright leadership, of young people — Generation Z.

Protests in Argentina

In Argentina the wave of protests erupted following the triple femicide of Lara Gutiérrez, 15, and her two cousins, Brenda del Castillo and Morena Verdi, both 20. The young women had disappeared on 19 September after being lured to a party and were found buried on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, with the femicides live-streamed on a private social media channel.

In the days following the disappearance and discovery, thousands of people, led by the "Ni Una Menos" movement and thousands of young men and women, took to the streets against gender-based violence in the country. In 2024 there were 267 femicides, and the historical record tells of a stable trend that has persisted for years with no sign of abating. This is why the demonstrations of recent days were also an act of accusation against the institutions and their inaction in the face of gender-based violence and, more broadly, against crime in the country, as well as the absence of prevention measures and initiatives.

Protests in Nepal

In Nepal the protests erupted in early September, after the government announced a block on numerous websites, including the social networks Instagram and Facebook. They quickly transformed into widespread criticism of the government and a corrupt and privileged political class, while the vast majority of the population lives in difficult conditions.

The most intense demonstrations broke out on 8 September, led by young people from Generation Z who also began using the social network Discord to organise themselves and draw up guidelines for the formation of a new government, following the resignation of the one led by KP Sharma Oli. The protests were brutally suppressed, with at least 72 deaths and hundreds of people wounded and arrested. On 14 September a new prime minister, Sushila Karki, was appointed — welcomed by the protesters and having committed to remaining in government for a maximum of six months.

Protests in Madagascar

In recent weeks Madagascar has also experienced widespread protests, triggered by exasperation over continuous electricity outages, which can last more than 12 hours a day, and water supply problems.

The demonstrations are led mainly by young people and students — the same Generation Z that drove the protests in Nepal — with massive use of social networks to organise and spread appeals. The marches affected the capital Antananarivo and other cities, with barricades, looting, fires and clashes with law enforcement, who used tear gas and rubber bullets, drawing verbal condemnation from the UN. The provisional toll stands at at least 22 deaths, while President Andry Rajoelina has dismissed the government.

Protests in the Philippines

The Philippines have also been affected in recent weeks by a series of street protests against corruption and the political class.

The issue concerns government flood control projects and a series of alleged bribes. A government audit revealed that, of 545 billion pesos allocated since 2022, many projects lack documentation or do not exist, while 15 of the more than 2,000 accredited contractors — those with the strongest connections to the political leadership — pocketed 20 per cent of the total budget. On 21 September another large demonstration was held in Manila, attended by thousands of people protesting against rampant corruption in the country. The day's toll was 49 arrests.

Protests in India

In recent days in Ladakh, a region of India, there have been major demonstrations that were suppressed with violence, resulting in four deaths and dozens of injured.

People took to the streets in Leh, where they stormed the headquarters of Narendra Modi's ruling party, and in other cities to demand special status and greater constitutional autonomy, which once existed but was revoked in 2019 as part of territorial disputes with Pakistan. Here too the protests are led mostly by young people, students and activists — Generation Z — but they also involve historical figures such as Sonam Wangchuk, an environmentalist who had been carrying out a hunger strike for weeks. It was precisely the forced hospitalisation of hunger-striking activists that sparked the protests.

The Indian government responded to the unrest by imposing a curfew and suspending internet access, so as to hamper the protesters' ability to organise.

Protests in Peru

In early September the Peruvian government approved a pension reform that obliges all those over 18 to join private pension funds. This triggered deep protests in a country where nearly one in three people lives below the poverty line and President Dina Boluarte is increasingly unpopular.

Leading the demonstrations are the youngest, with the Generation Z collective, in what has become a collective cry against political corruption, following a series of recent scandals, but also against rising crime in the country and the failure of institutions to take responsibility for the victims of the 2022 protests. The authorities responded violently to the protests. The marches on 27 September in the capital Lima resulted in 19 injuries.

Protests in Slovakia

Among the countries affected by protests in recent weeks is Slovakia. Here the fuse was lit by a series of austerity measures imposed by the government of Prime Minister Robert Fico, including tax and social contribution increases, VAT hikes on certain foods and the possible cancellation of national public holidays.

This economic discontent then brought other grievances against the government to the surface, in particular the risks of an authoritarian political drift, following a series of attacks on NGOs by Fico, who has also taken pro-Russian positions. A first march composed of almost 20,000 people marched through the capital Bratislava on 17 September, a scene that then repeated itself the following week.

Protests in Morocco

At the end of September 2025, Morocco too saw a new wave of youth protests erupt, led by movements such as GenZ 212 and Morocco Youth Voice.

It all began with the deaths of several women during caesarean sections in the country's hospitals, which unleashed anger over the State's meagre investment in healthcare and other public services, as well as over rampant corruption. The accusation is also levelled at the vast financial resources being used to organise the 2030 Football World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations. The government set its repression machinery in motion and dozens of protesters were arrested. At the same time it promised responses to the demands of the youth collectives, which continue to organise the protests in a horizontal manner.

Protests in Ecuador

In Ecuador the protests erupted in mid-September, following a government reform that abolishes the diesel subsidy, pushing prices up from around $1.80 to $2.80 per gallon. Those most affected by this measure took to the streets, in particular farmers, transport workers and indigenous communities, for whom fuel is vital to daily life and production.

Leading the protests is Conaie, the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador, though students are also playing a key role. Protesters have blocked roads and highways and called for national strikes, while President Daniel Noboa has declared a state of emergency and imposed curfews. Clashes with police have resulted in the death of at least one protester, while dozens have been injured and arrested.