Authors:

1. Sagrika Singh, BA in Economics & History, University of Delhi
2. Anika Srivastava, BA Hons. Political Science, University of Delhi

ABSTRACT

This paper explores the rise of Gen Z-led protests in Nepal as a part of broader trend of youth
mobilization across South and Southeast Asia. It examines how these protests connect to
Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16), which focuses on peace, justice, and strong
institutions. The paper places Nepal’s 2025 digital-era uprising, triggered by state censorship
and corruption scandals, in the context of similar movements in Bangladesh, Indonesia, and
the Philippines. This comparison highlights shared regional issues of accountability,
inclusivity, and transparency. Using comparative literature and recent case evidence, the
study illustrates how digitally connected youth activism is turning SDG 16 from a policy
framework into a real political demand.
The paper delves deeply into the institutional responses prompted by the leaderless and
digitally synchronized protests occurring in Nepal and throughout the broader region. It
reveals that state institutions have exhibited a fluctuating approach, swinging between
oppressive measures, extensive surveillance, and targeted digital crackdowns, contrasted with
attempts at reform, dialogue, and strategies for co-optation. This dichotomy reveals a
complex tension: on one hand, authorities strive to maintain political control in the face of
societal unrest, while on the other hand, they grapple with genuine demands for
accountability and reform from the populace.
Furthermore, the study meticulously examines how these varying governmental reactions
influence public trust in institutions, the perceived legitimacy of democratic governance, and
the overall long-term outlook for inclusive political processes. By placing the Nepal 2025
uprising within this wider comparative context, the analysis emphasizes a pressing question:
do the adaptations made by these institutions ultimately foster stronger mechanisms for
accountability, or do they simply entrench existing authoritarian practices?
Ultimately, the paper posits that the mobilization of Generation Z transcends mere temporary
dissatisfaction; it represents a profound political force driving change. This demographic is
urging governments to move beyond mere rhetoric and actively implement the principles
enshrined in Sustainable Development Goal 16 encompassing ideals of peace, justice, and the
establishment of robust institutions transforming these principles into tangible realities that
improve everyday life and governance.