MEGAN THOMPSON: When Aissata Camara was 13, she immigrated to Queens, New York, from the West African Country of Guinea. She fit in, went to high school and college in the city, and earned a master’s degree at New York University. But there was a part of her life she told no one about, something she thought people here would not understand. She was subjected to female genital mutilation.

AISSATA CAMARA: It was very lonely. Because who spoke to me about it? No one. So, you’re here, you’re carrying this big secret with you, and no one is there to help you.

Advocates warn genital cutting may increase during summer months