United States District Judge Edward R. Korman has recently ruled that the “morning-after” emergency contraceptive pill, or Plan B One-Step, must be made available to all women and girls of reproductive age without a prescription.

Judge Korman’s decision is level-headed and necessary. All sexuallly active individuals able to reproduce should have access to contraceptives despite political opposition or social taboo.

Even when such a decision increases the potential usage of contraceptives among young girls previously denied access (those under 17 years of age could only receive it with a prescription before Korman’s ruling), the need of emergency contraceptives by both young and old sexually active women is much more crucial than the unattractive image of young girls taking contraceptives.

What is even more unappealing than young girls taking contraceptives? Young girls getting pregnant and having children. Although this demographic among sexually active females is slim and the cases in which young girls have sex are relatively uncommon, such sad and disturbing circumstances do exist. As such, it is incredibly cruel to force girls into a more challenging position by not allowing them access to over-the-counter emergency contraceptives.

Yet as Judge Korman stated in his order, “This case is not about the potential misuse of Plan B by 11-year-olds, [it] is an excuse to deprive the overwhelming majority of women of their right to obtain contraceptives without unjustified and burdensome restrictions.”

Such unfair treatment is also wrongly enforced, as Plan B One-Step is a safe and effective treatment with no scientific proof of health risks aside from temporary side effects such as changes to one’s menstrual cycle, nausea, dizziness and fatigue.

Even U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, who ruled that Plan B should not be made available to minors without a prescription before her decision was overturned by Judge Korman, stated that the contraceptive was entirely safe, saying that “science has confirmed the drug to be safe and effective with appropriate use.”

It is easy for one to focus on the extremes of Korman’s ruling — that all females of reproductive age must be allowed non-prescription access to Plan B. While girls usually reach menstruation, around 12 years of age, a smaller but existent percentage begins menstruation earlier. This small group of females is targeted by Sebelius’ and critic’s objections, yet what about the larger group of reproductive-age females in need of emergency contraceptives?

Young girls have nothing to lose in acquiring easier access to the emergency contraceptive and they, along with all other sexually active women, have everything to gain.

Plan B One-Step is safe and effective. It will largely be used by older teenagers and women. Regardless of age, this important pill will be available to all who are in need of it without political agendas or conservative and intrusive opinions shaping their decisions.

And that is what is really important — that women nationwide can oversee the health of their own bodies using safe, reliable options.