Background Awareness among women about maternal mortality is a very important step as a preventive measure to reduce its rate and to understand misconception of women’s knowledge about its issues. Aim This study aimed to assess the awareness and perceptions of women about maternal mortality issues in rural areas in both Assiut and Fayoum Governorates. Patients and methods A descriptive comparative research was conducted in this study. A total of 600 rural women were included and divided into two equal groups in Assiut and Fayoum Governorates (300 and 300, respectively). A structured interviewing questionnaire was designed by the researcher to assess the awareness and perceptions of these women who lived in rural communities about maternal mortality issues. Results There are no statistical significance differences between both groups regarding the levels of awareness about maternal mortality (P>0.05). More than two-thirds of rural women in both groups considered post-partum period as the commonest time for maternal deaths (71 and 67%, respectively). The rural women in both groups perceived lack of maternal health awareness as the main cause of maternal deaths (60 and 64% in Assiut and Fayoum Governorates, respectively). Age of women and their family size were considered as risk factors affecting the levels of awareness among these women. Conclusion There are no statistical significance differences between both groups in rural communities regarding the levels of awareness about maternal mortality. Recommendations Educational programs should be conducted about maternal health issues through Ministry of Health to raise the awareness of women about these issues especially in rural communities of Egypt.