Public inquiry for missing women?

Gladys Radek, founder of Walk4Justice, has taken up the challenge of raising awareness for the 2,900 missing or murdered women and children in Canada.

Radek and five others left Kamloops on June 22 and are strolling through the Okanagan this weekend on their way to Winnipeg.

“We are walking for justice because there are far too many missing and murdered women in Canada,” says Radek.

“There is a problem here in Canada, where violence against women is socially accepted. We want to raise the awareness that women are not going to take this anymore.”

Radek's niece, 22-year-old Tamara Lynn Chipman, went missing in September 2005 on Highway 16, the 'highway of tears,' near Prince Rupert.

The investigation into Chipman's disappearance lasted about a year, Radek says.

“Now everything has just gone cold. There's no justice, no closure, no equality, and no accountability.”

There needs to be an official public inquiry into all missing and murdered women and children cases, Radek says.

“Our voices are getting louder, but we are having a heck of a time getting the government to move. The government is responsible for the citizens of Canada. We don't know if they're actively investigating, we don't know if they care, we don't know anything.”

In addition, Radek is hoping for a national missing and murdered women's symposium in Vancouver.

At 75, Mabel Todd made up her mind to join the Walk4Justice and shows no sign of stopping.

“My friends say I'm too old. I'm never too old,” Todd says.

In 2008, she participated in a similar walk from Victoria to Ottawa.

“I just made up my mind to do something special for our women and children. My hope is that justice will be done for the families, so they can have peace of mind.”